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NATCHEZ—The Downtown Natchez Farmers Market, held each Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon, is one of 32 in the state to be certified by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson released the state’s certified Farmers Markets list as part of Mississippi Farmers Markets Week, July 7 through 13. The MDAC created Mississippi Farmers Market Week to honor local farmers’ markets and recognize the significant contributions of farmers to Mississippi communities.

The 32 certified farmers’ markets are located in 25 Mississippi counties. The program serves as a marketing initiative designed to identify and promote markets where producers of Mississippi-grown produce and other agricultural products gather to sell their goods directly to consumers. Sales of food products grown, made, or processed in Mississippi and sold from Certified Farmers’ Markets are exempt from sales tax.

Eddie Burkes, director of the Downtown Natchez Farmers’ Market, said it was an event born out of the Friends of the Riverfront project, which created the city’s master plan.

“We had charettes while developing the city’s master plan, and everyone we asked about what they wanted to see in downtown Natchez said they wanted a farmers’ market,” he said. “We set it up with the mission to have a market for local growers to sell their products, that we would sell locally-made products and it would be a place for community members to gather and fellowship, which is it, and to help develop downtown Natchez.”

The market, which began in 2017 as a seasonal market, is today year ’round.

“The market is doing well. We have plenty of vendors in the limited space we have on Broadway, and we have a nice size crowd every week of locals, and we have tourists who make their way to the farmers’ market, too, so it has become another event for them to participate in, as well,” Burkes said. “We are here 52 weeks a year, weather allowing, of course. We are one of the few year ’ round markets in the state.”

He said vendors range from seasonal farmers who come to sell their produce when in season, like those who sell watermelons and pecans, and others who sell their products all year long.

“We have a number of vendors who have wound up with storefronts or have gone on to have online businesses. We have been an incubator for a number of people who began selling their goods at the farmers’ market. People have gotten exposure and been able to find out what they products can do, if there is a market for them,” Burkes said.

Not just anyone can set up a tent and start selling things at the farmers’ market in Downtown Natchez.

“We operate with three criteria. We are not a merchandise market. You have to be a grower, or you have to be a cottage industry, such as selling jams, jellies, or baked goods that you have made. Or you have to sell arts and crafts that you created. Those are the fewest vendors we have. We have wood crafters and a few jewelers, things people make themselves. And they have to be of a certain quality. We are not a resale market. We have people who want to come and sell merchandise, but that’s just not who we are,” Burkes said.

“People today want the best when it comes to feeding their families,” said Commissioner Gipson. “And because of that, many farmers markets around the state have been certified through our Mississippi Farmers Market Certification Program. With the certification, these markets inform the public that they can find fresh, locally-grown produce, meats, eggs, and other farm products near them. We’ve certified over 30 farmers markets this growing season and are proud to highlight those markets today. I encourage every farmers’ market to seek certification so we can provide them greater support and their customers can enjoy the tax relief when buying Mississippi food products.”

To be recognized by the Mississippi Farmers Market Certification Program, local farmers’ markets must be identified and approved as locations where Mississippi farmers gather to sell their Mississippi-grown produce and other agricultural products. As the demand for seasonal, locally grown produce has increased, so has the number of farmers markets across the state. By shopping at one of the state’s certified markets, consumers can be confident that they are purchasing both fresh and nourishing food. Find a complete list of farmers’ markets across the state and learn how to become a certified farmers’ market now at www.msfarmersmarket.com.

The Downtown Natchez Farmers Market is located at 300 North Broadway Street in Natchez and is open on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. until noon. For more information, follow them on Facebook. Email eburkes@natchez.ms.us for more information or see the Downtown Natchez Farmers Market page on Facebook.