Summer Shreveport Farmers’ Market Set to Open May 31

Do you like homegrown goods? Then you need to stop by the Shreveport's Summer Farmers' Market, which opens for business Saturday, May 31, and features more than 150 booths of locally-grown produce, meats and more.

You'll be able to find honey, plants, artisan foods, arts and crafts and a Market Cafe. And opening day features live music by The Blanchard Jammers. The market is located in downtown Shreveport's Festival Plaza. Chris Jay with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau says this year, the Market Cafe, in the West Pavilion, will feature weekly live entertainment, plus ready-to-eat cuisine covering regional and international specialties.

The East Pavilion will hold more than 80 vendors, both old and new, with a new section for big farms. Under the Spring Street Bridge is Artists Alley, which features an expanded "bath and body" section this year. Jay says there's also a newly-opened area called Bridge Row, which will expand the space available for gourmet and specialty items like wine, cheese and sausage.

The market will be open Saturdays from 7 a.m. until noon May 31-August 30, except for June 21. Tuesday markets run from 3-6 p.m. at the east end of the Plaza. Those will feature mostly home-grown fruits, veggies and meats. They'll be open from June 3-July 15.

In case you weren't aware, the market accepts SNAP benefits. Just bring your card to the information booth at the tower on the west side of the market, and your benefits will be converted to tokens that can be used at participating vendors. Some of them also accept WIC and Senior Nutrition Food Program vouchers. There's an ATM on site, and some vendors accept credit cards.

For more information, visit the Shreveport Farmers' Market website or the market's Facebook page.