Finding Food in Arkansas: Farmers Markets

by Lindsey Sexton - May 3, 2021

Spring harvest is in full swing and now is the time to visit your local farmers market. Bright, delicate berries are ripe for the picking. Hearty potatoes, greens, carrots, and onions are also coming into season and just waiting to be picked up at your local market.

Many farmers markets participate in the Double Up Food Bucks program where you get twice as much produce for every SNAP dollar you spend. This is an excellent time to support Arkansas farmers while saving money and buying delicious local produce!

 Where can I find my local farmers market?

There are a few different resources for finding a farmers market near you. If you'd like to find markets around the state, you may want to check out Arkansas MarketMaker or USDA’s National Farmers Market Directory.

If you’d like to talk to someone to find a market nearby, you can reach out to your local county Extension office for more information on farmers markets in your area.

Which Arkansas farmers markets offer Double Up Food Bucks?

Currently, over 20 farmers markets and grocery stores across Arkansas offer customers the opportunity to double up their food bucks. When buying at a DUFBs location, SNAP recipients receive a one-to-one dollar match to purchase locally grown produce. In addition, they will receive free nutrition and cooking education. Also, using DUFBs increases farmers' sales and creates sustainability by supporting local agriculture. The program runs from May 1st until October 31st. Participating locations for 2021 can be found on the Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention website.

Why should I buy local produce?

When farmers are able to pick and sell at the peak of freshness, hungry families get to enjoy high quality produce at a lower cost. And that’s a big deal to local farmers and families. Buying local not only tastes better it is typically more nutritious and cheaper than buying produce that has been transported over long distances. This cuts down on packaging and transportation costs to the consumer and the environment.

Is it farmers’ market or farmers market?

Fun fact: No apostrophe is necessary in "farmers" because the phrase is a descriptive phrase, rather than a possessive phrase.

However you spell it, I hope you visit your local farmers market soon!