Hernando, Olive Branch among certified MDAC farmers markets

Credit: Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce

July 8 –Farmers markets in Hernando and Olive Branch are among 32 farmers markets in Mississippi that have been certified by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. The announcement comes as the state observes Mississippi Farmers Market Week, now through July 13.

The Hernando Farmers Market is located at 2535 Hwy 51 South in Hernando and is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 1p.m. For more information about the Hernando Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 662-429-9092.

The City of Olive Branch Farmers Market is located at 9200 Pigeon Roost Rd in Olive Branch and is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 1p.m. For more information about the City of Olive Branch Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 662-892-9376.

Mississippi Farmers Market Week was established by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) to create awareness of local farmers markets and recognize the significant contribution of farmers markets to local communities.

MDAC has certified 32 farmers markets in 25 counties as part of the Mississippi Certified Farmers Market Program this year. This 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 that are grown, made or processed in Mississippi and sold from Certified Farmers Markets are exempt from sales tax.

“People today want the best when it comes to feeding their families,” said 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 are informing the public that they can find fresh, locally-grown produce, meats, eggs and other farm products near them. This growing season, we’ve certified over 30 farmers markets, and we are proud to highlight those markets today. I encourage every farmers markets to seek certification so we can provide them greater support and their customers can enjoy the tax relief when buying Mississippi food products.”

In order to be recognized by the Mississippi Farmers Market Certification Program, local farmers markets must be identified and approved as locations where Mississippi farmers are gathered 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 following farmers markets have been certified by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

Adams County

• 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 12:00 p.m. For more information about the Downtown Natchez Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 662-816-5458.

Attala County

• The Attala County Farmers Market is located at 450 Hwy 12 East in Kosciusko and is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. For more information about the Attala County Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 662-416-3467.

Bolivar County

• The Cleveland, MS Farmers, Bakers and Makers Market is located at 301 Cotton Row in Cleveland and is open on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. For more information about the Cleveland Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 601-832-2785.

Chickasaw County

• The Houston Farmers Market is located at 101 Pinson Square in Houston and is open on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. For more information about the Houston Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 662-456-6416.

DeSoto County

• The Hernando Farmers Market is located at 2535 Hwy 51 South in Hernando and is open on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. For more information about the Hernando Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 662-429-9092.
• The City of Olive Branch Farmers Market is located at 9200 Pigeon Roost Rd in Olive Branch and is open on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. For more information about the City of Olive Branch Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 662-892-9376.

Hancock County

• The Diamondhead Farmers Market is located at 5000 Diamondhead Circle in Diamondhead and is open on Fridays from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and every third Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information about the Diamondhead Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 228-342-0887.

Harrison County

• The Florence Gardens Farmers Market is located at 12321 Preservation Drive in Gulfport and is open every first and third Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. For more information about the Florence Gardens Farmers Market, call 228-257-2496.
• The Gulfport Harbor Farmers Market is located at 1177 20^th Avenue and is open on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information about the Gulfport Harbor Farmers Market, call 228-257- 2496.
• The Farmers Market at Long Beach is located at 301 Jeff Davis Avenue in Long Beach and is open on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. For more information about the Long Beach Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 985-710-3946.
• The Pass Market is located at 103 Fleitas Street in Pass Christian and is open on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information about the Pass Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 228-297-3040.

Hinds County

• The Fresh at Five Farmers Market is located at 300 Jefferson Street in Clinton and is open on Tuesdays from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. For more information about the Fresh at Five Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 601-924-5472.
• The Mississippi Farmers Market is located at 929 High Street in Jackson and is open on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. with additional summer hours every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. For more information about the Mississippi Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 601-354-6573. 

Jackson County

• The Ocean Springs Fresh Market is located at 1000 Washington Avenue and is open on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. For more information about the Ocean Springs Fresh Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 228-257-2496.

Lafayette County

• The Mid-Town Farmers Market is located at the Mid-Town Shopping Center in Oxford and is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. For more information about the Mid-Town Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 662-234-3425.
• Oxford Community Market is located at 1801 University Avenue in Oxford and is open on Tuesdays from 3:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. For more information about the Oxford Community Market, follow them on Facebook or call 662-816-7413.

Lauderdale County

• The Earth’s Bounty Farmers Market is located at 1801 Front Street in Meridian and is open Thursday – Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For more information about the Earth’s Bounty Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 601-485-1998.

Leake County

• The Walnut Grove Farmers Market is located at 143 Cole Avenue in Walnut Grove and is open on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. For more information about the Walnut Grove Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 601-253-2321.

Lee County

• The Downtown Tupelo Farmers Depot is located at 415 South Spring Street and is open on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. For more information about the Downtown Tupelo Farmers Depot, follow them on Facebook or call 662-841-6598.
• The Nettleton Farmers Market Depot is located at Veterans Park in Nettleton and is open on Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. For more information about the Nettleton Farmers Market Depot, follow them on Facebook or call 662-963-2605.

Lincoln County

• The Brookhaven Farmers Market is located at 212 S Whitworth Avenue in Brookhaven and is open on Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. For more information about the Brookhaven Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 601-835-3460.

Lowndes County

• The Hitching Lot Farmers Market is located at 150 N 2nd Street in Columbus and is open on Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. For more information about the Hitching Lot Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 662-328-6305.

Madison County

• Old Jail Farmers Market is located at 234 E. Fulton Street in Canton and is open Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information about Old Jail Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 601-519-9671.

Montgomery County

• MS Crossroads Farmers Market is located at 608 Summit Street in Winona and is open Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For more information about the MS Crossroads Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 662-310-2147.

Neshoba County

• The Neshoba Farmers Market is located at 256 W Beacon Street in Philadelphia and is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. For more information about the Neshoba County Farmers Market, call 601-656-4011.

Pontotoc County

• The Pontotoc Farmers Market is located at 25 West Jefferson Street in Pontotoc and is open on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. For more information about the Pontotoc Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 662-760-6703.

Scott County

• The Sunset Depot Farmers Market is located at 119 Brooks Street in Lake and is open on Fridays from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. For more information about the Sunset Depot Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 601-507-0880.

Sunflower County

• The Indianola Open Air Farmers Market is located at the corner of Front and Second Street in Indianola and is open on Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. For more information about the Indianola Open Air Farmers Market, call 662-887-7271.

Tishomingo County

• The Tishomingo County Farmers Market is located at Front Street in Iuka and is open on Wednesdays from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. and on Fridays from 4:00 p.m. until 7 p.m. For more information about the Tishomingo County Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 662-423-0051.

Warren County

• The Vicksburg Farmers Market is located at 1000 Washington Street in Vicksburg and is open on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. For more information about the Vicksburg Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 601-634-4527.

Webster County

• The Eupora Farmers Market is located at 855 S Dunn Street in Eupora and is open on Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. For more information about the Eupora Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook or call 662-769-5152.

Yalobusha County

• The Water Valley Farmers Market is located on Main Street under the Magnolias in Water Valley and is open on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. For more information about the Water Valley Farmers Market, follow them on Facebook.

For more information on MDAC’s Certified Farmers Market program and to find a local farmers market near you, visit link or contact Katie Sansing at katie@mdac.ms.gov.