Ruston Farmer's Market

Well, shoot! I wanted to go to the farmers' market tomorrow, but it's going to rain :-(

 I had my heart set on fresh veggies, chicken salad, a bouquet of pretty flowers, and a breakfast burrito.  Darn rain!

But wait........ I forgot that the farmers' market has relocated to their spiffy, new covered building! Unlike the days when they were holding the market in a parking lot, weather is no longer a factor!! Whoo hoo!!

New location at 220 East Mississippi Ave.
The market is open from 8:00 - 12:00.

When Mayor Ronnie Walker was running for the office he would eventually hold, he had a vision for Ruston. Part of that vision was to revitalize an area east of Bonner Street. After his election, the city entered into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Farmers' Market concerning the use of an empty warehouse on Mississippi Avenue.

The Farmers' Market held several fundraisers and secured a grant in order to make improvements to the facility such as adding bathrooms and an additional loading door. Talented students from Louisiana Tech gussied up the place with an amazing mural. Some close ups of it are definitely in order!

My favorite part of the mural is the honey dripping from the roof!

A trip to the farmers' market is such a great way to start your Saturday. As you enter the building you are welcomed by the aromas of fresh brewed coffee from Railway Coffee and sugary cinnamon rolls from Aunt Sandi's Kitchen. Vibrant colors and interesting textures beckon to you from baskets of vegetables, vases of flowers, and cheerily decorated booths. The smiling faces of friends and vendors greet you with the warm friendship small towns are known for, especially Ruston! 

Everyone has their own way of "doing" the market, but here is mine. I like to do a little visiting first. Three of our Master Gardeners, Jean McWeeney, Kit Hanley, and Cheryl Maxwell, are market volunteers, and it is always fun to see them. Then I slowly make my way around the vendors, scoping out all the goodies that are being offered at the market that day.

 Next I head out back to Tacos de Guero for a breakfast burrito and a listen to the musical talent of the morning. 

After caloric fortification, it is time to decide on my purchases. I can't walk by Joywalk Daylily Farm and Produce without buying one of their beautiful day lilies. They have a million varieties and are so knowledgeable about them. Half of the day lilies in my yard come from them. 

 A stop at Jerrell's Specialty Foods and Catering or Rosemary's Kitchen can set you up for the coming week's menus - chicken salad, frozen casseroles or soup. Pair that with salad green's from Renner Gardens, vegetables from Mack's Tomatoes and Produce, and something sweet from Good's Fudge or Anna Yak's Pies and you are done cooking for the week!! Ha!

Next I review my upcoming gift-giving occasions because the market offers so many unique gifts. I bought my mom's birthday gift from Jennings Apiaries. It is a necklace containing a piece of honeycomb, and for a lady called Honey it is perfect!!

Jennings Apiaries (necklaces hanging in the middle)

Gene's Woodworks

 Nomad Naturals, Belle vie Belle Maison, and Kreative Kreations are just a few of the gift vendors.

If James goes with me tomorrow, he'll be sipping on a soda from Old Bottle Brewery and munching on a snack from Juju's Kettle Corn while perusing his grilling choices from Wildthang Specialty Meats.

There are so many more vendors offering so many more treats than I can list. If you get on their email list you will get a weekly notice about happenings at the market.  

But here's the best part!!! Tomorrow is the Grand Opening of the 2016 market. There's no telling what they have in store for us! We certainly don't want to miss it!

Love ya'll, 

Shelli

While the spirit of neighborliness was important on the frontier because neighbors were so few, it is even more important now because our neighbors are so many. 

~Lady Bird Johnson