Benton Farmers’ Market Opens This Weekend

North Bossier has a farmers' market all its own. The Benton Farmers' Market opens for business Sunday, June 1.

Manager Ellan Cathcart told KEEL News the first thing she did when organizing this was to get on her computer and research all the farmers' markets in Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi.

"And I studied all their ways that they do things, and then I contact Shreveport Market Manager Noma (Fowler-Sandlin) and she was wonderful. She's been a lot of help to me. I talked to the Haughton manager," she said. "So we've just had a lot of great people involved in helping get this off the ground."

Cathcart said you'll be able to find all the fabulous items the Shreveport Farmers' Market offers, too -- fresh fruits and veggies, meats and eggs, and amazing baked goods.

Over 40 vendors have already signed up, and the market is looking for even more. Farmers, gardners and producers who would like to sell homegrown produce or handmade products from Louisiana, southwest Arkansas and northeast Texas are encouraged to apply.

Cathcart told us this market will be a nice addition to the area, and is not aimed at competing with the Shreveport market in Festival Plaza.

"We wanted to offer another venue for our farmers, our gardners, producers, another chance to be able to offer their goods and for our community to be able to meet who's growing," Cathcart said.

The Benton Farmers' Market is open every Sunday afternoon from 12:30-5 through July 27th. It's located on Benton Road in downtown Benton and is easily accessible from Highway 3, Airline Drive/Palmetto Road and Highway 162.