Hernando Farmers Market wraps 2025 season with over 100,000 visitors
HERNANDO, Miss. — The Hernando Farmers Market will host its final market of the 2025 season this Saturday, Oct. 25, concluding a record-breaking year that saw more than 100,000 guests and projected sales exceeding $800,000.
The market, a seasonal fixture on the city’s historic Town Square, has become a significant economic driver and community hub for the region. This season’s projected sales continue a sharp upward trend, growing from $500,000 in 2022 and $700,000 in 2023.
The market’s success was fueled by its 79 vendors, including 44 farmers, who traveled from 34 different cities across Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas. The 2025 season, which ran from April 26 to Oct. 25, peaked on July 5, which welcomed about 9,000 visitors, according to figures from the city.
Gia Matheny, Hernando’s community and economic director, attributes the market’s success not only to its high-quality local produce and goods but also to its robust community programming.
The market prioritized accessibility by accepting SNAP/EBT, which could be redeemed for tokens. Through a grant from the Double Up Food Bucks Mississippi program, shoppers using SNAP benefits received a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $20, to spend on additional fresh produce.
Community-focused events also drove weekly traffic. Free yoga was offered every Saturday. Children’s Day, held on the last Saturday of each month, featured free activities, free books, and $5 “Power of Produce” (POP) bucks for children to buy their own fruits and vegetables. A similar program, Senior Days, offered the first 100 seniors $5 in POP bucks on the second Saturday of each month.
“I would like to thank Sky Lake Construction as our presenting sponsor, Farm Bureau Mississippi as senior citizen day sponsor, DeSoto Children’s Clinic as our children’s day sponsor, and Stars in Motion as our weekly yoga sponsor,” Mathney said. “Partnerships like these allow the farmers market to host activities that benefit people of all ages, improving physical and social health and quality of life for residents and visitors.”
Matheny added the Christmas farmers market will be held in conjunction with Hernando Dickens of a Christmas on Nov. 22 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
“We will have our annual vendor meeting for current and prospective vendors in March 2026,” she said. “More information about the Hernando Farmers Market and other events in the city are available on the city mobile app.”
You may download the city app at the Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/4olI0j0 or Google Play: https://bit.ly/4ofjHDf. It is your guide to everything happening in Hernando — now in the palm of your hand.
The final Hernando Farmers Market of the season takes place this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Record-Breaking Attendance: The 2025 season attracted over 100,000 visitors, with a peak of about 9,000 guests on a single Saturday (July 5).
- Major Economic Impact: Sales have grown from $500,000 in 2022 to a projected $800,000-plus in 2025, supporting 79 vendors from three states.
- Community-Focused Programming: Key programs like Double Up Food Bucks for SNAP users, along with monthly Children’s and Senior Days, make the market accessible and a weekly family destination.
