NATCHEZ — Despite the closure of the Natchez Farmers Market, local residents will still have an opportunity to purchase locally grown food and handmade wares weekly throughout the summer.

Every Saturday morning throughout June, July and August, the City of Natchez will host a pop-up farmers market downtown.

The idea for the farmers market came after the city was awarded a grant to purchase a roadside farmers stand to be used for a farmers market and local resident Eddie Burkes approached the city about starting a farmers market.

After Burkes showed interest in establishing a market, Mayor Darryl Grennell said he appointed Burkes coordinator of the farmers market.

The goal, Grennell said, is to fill the gap created after the Alcorn State University Extension Service’s farmers market closed in late 2016, while also promoting health and wellness, entrepreneurship and shopping locally.

Grennell said Alcorn is still interested in operating a farmers market in Natchez, and he is set to tour potential locations with Alcorn officials soon.

“But that won’t be up and running by this summer,” Grennell said. “So we wanted to go ahead and do this to allow local people to be able to buy locally (grown) vegetables and fruits and other items.”

Burkes said he became interested in the project after FOR Natchez received feedback that residents wanted to see a farmers market downtown. Burkes is on the board for FOR Natchez, a local nonprofit currently working to create a downtown revitalization plan.

Before approaching the city, Burkes said he also talked to downtown merchants who said they were interested in seeing a market downtown as well.

“It helps give local farmers the opportunity to sell their wares, it gives the community the opportunity to buy fresh products that are homegrown, and it brings awareness to downtown,” Burkes said. “So there are multiple layers to why it is beneficial.”

The market will essentially be a pop-up farmers market, with vendors selling items out of the back of trucks or designated spaces from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

A few details still have to be finalized — including the exact location of the market — before the market opens, but Burkes said he is currently looking for interested vendors.

Anyone wishing to be a vendor at the farmers market can contact Burkes at eburkes@natchez.ms.us.

Vendor spaces are reserved for regional residents who grow or make their own products.

The resale of items is not permitted.