Celebrate National Farmers Market Week by visiting and voting for the Shreveport market

The Shreveport Farmers Market joins others across the country in celebrating the National Farmers Markets Week August 7 - 13.

National Farmers Markets Week is an annual celebration of farmers' markets coordinated by the membership-based nonprofit Farmers Market Coalition. The Farmers Market Coalition supports farmers' markets nationwide through training, technical assistance and network-building.

"Farmers' markets are abundant sources of food, connection and resilience in our communities across the country, but they don't just happen on their own," said Farmers Market Coalition Executive Director Ben Feldman. "Behind the scenes of every successful farmers' market is a dedicated person or team working to make the market thrive. These farmers' market operators are experts who need community and financial support to run their markets and resources specifically designed for their needs. Throughout National Farmers Market Week 2022, we will be highlighting the vital work of farmers market operators across the nation."

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The Shreveport Farmers Market is currently in its 36th season and hosts over 75 vendors along with live music and a cooking demonstration every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Local vendors sell a variety of homegrown and homemade items like produce, plants, honey, breads, jams and jellies, meats, candles and more.

The Shreveport Farmers Market is the only market in the community that accepts SNAP / EBT and offers a match program from Louisiana Healthcare Connections. SNAP users receive up to $20 in matching benefits, with they can shop with at the market.

"We are having a wonderful summer season at the Shreveport Farmers' Market," said Market Manager Eck Gentry. "Our team, along with out farmers, vendors, and volunteers put countless hours of work into preparing for the market each year. The Shreveport Farmers' Market doesn't just provide access to fresh food, it is a place where community connections happen, and businesses grow."

Visit the Shreveport Farmers Market every Saturday until August 27 from 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Vote for the Shreveport Farmers Market in the National Farmers Market Celebration at the American Farmland Trust website.

Meredith G. White is the arts and culture reporter for the Shreveport Times. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and Twitter as @meredithgwhite, and email her at mgwhite@gannett.com. 

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Celebrate National Farmers Market Week in Shreveport