The cold dreary days of January may have many people looking forward to spring, but there is no need to wait until warmer weather to shop at the Siloam Springs Farmers Market.
The market stays open year round, moving from City Park to an online format between October and April. Now that the online market is in its fourth year, there are more vendors participating than ever, according to market manager Stacey Hester.
The online farmers market helps customers stay connected year round, instead of having to get back into the habit of shopping at the market each spring, Hester said. It has also brought in some new customers to the market, she said.
To use the market, customers can order online at siloamsprings.locallygrown.net any time between Sunday morning and 10 p.m. Thursday. Their orders are available for pick up between 9 and 11 a.m. every Saturday at the Main Street Siloam Springs Office, located at 103 E. Alpine St. Suite 3.
The farmers market accepts EBT/SNAP and participates on the double dollar program that allows beneficiaries to purchase twice as much at the market, Hester said.
There is not as much produce at the market during the colder months as there is at the outdoor market, but farmers still grow some winter vegetables and greens in their greenhouses. In addition to vegetables such as greens, broccoli, cabbage, carrots and winter squash, the market also offers products such as eggs, dairy, honey, meat, bath and beauty items, candies and baked goods.
Purchasing local food is great because customers know who grew the food and can know it was picked that day or the night before rather than having been shipped thousands of miles on a truck, Hester said. Buying food from the farmers market also supports the local economy and makes it healthier by keeping tax money in the community, she said.
Jason Kingsley of Siloam Springs began purchasing food at the outdoor farmers market about five years ago and became a customer of the online market when it opened four years ago.
Kingsley said he uses the outdoor market because of its proximity to his home, and because of the high quality local food, much of which is pesticide and herbicide free. Kingsley said that he knows many of the vendors and wants to invest in and support local businesses. Kingsley also likes that he can bring his boys with him to the market for some sunshine and outdoor activities. Sometimes they explore the downtown area while shopping at the market or visit the nearby library.
Kingsley said it also helps that the farmers market accepts EBT cards, and the double dollar program helps him get even more value from the program.
"We get better quality food for half the price," Kingsley said. "It just makes good sense."
Having the online market available throughout the winter has been a definite benefit for Kingsley. While there isn't as much produce in the colder months, having the market available online means he doesn't have to drive to Fayetteville, Rogers or Bentonville to find the same quality of food.
Last week Kingsley was out of town, but was still able to order food online and pick up his groceries for the week on Saturday morning.
"Stacey has always been very helpful, and all the farmers are very polite, generous and helpful with showing us how to use new products" he said. "It's a great atmosphere."
The online market can be found at siloamsprings.locallygrown.net/market. More information is also available at mainstreetsiloamsprings.org and on the Siloam Springs Farmers Market Facebook page.
General News on 01/04/2017