Fresh Look at Nacogdoches Farmers Market

Live music played and children ran around vendors as families among other East Texas residents milled about the Nacogdoches Farmers Market on a sunny Saturday morning in April.

Vendors had come out with their best and freshest assortment of produce, jewelry, crafts and other locally made items. Bright pops of colors from strawberry plants, squash, and green vegetables could be seen from across the market as customers tried to pick just one.

Nacogdoches Farmers Market is a lively collection of plants, produce and other locally made goods that comes to life every Saturday morning, as it has for the past nine years. A committee of volunteers works together to ensure all laws regarding quality and cleanup are followed, along with additional rules from the committee.

Everything sold must be made in a 90 mile radius of the market, ensuring that all of the products and vendors stay local. It is common for the produce sold to be picked only days before, if not hours before the actual event. Before being allowed to sell at the market, board members must visit the vendor’s farm to ensure quality.

“Here you get to talk to farmers and get a connection to your food. You can ask, how did you grow this? The food here is fresh and has higher vitamin content. It tastes better, so you’re also more likely to eat it,” Tammy Baker, board member of Nacogdoches Farmer’s Market, said.

Eating fresh food, specifically organic, has grown in popularity in the past few years. With all of the hype surrounding organic foods, the debate is on if organic foods are actually worth the price.

No matter which side you fall on, the true benefits of organic food include that it is free of genetically modified organisms and pesticides. Typically, organic food is often fresher too.

Vendors and customers often talk about where the food comes from. With some items appearing only seasonally, vendors are quick to explain what something is or how to cook with it. This allows for customers to try foods they may not have otherwise.

“It’s fresh; you get to know where your food comes from and it helps builds community. Other food has time to degrade and everything loses its vitality. You learn more and it’s all seasonal here,” Laura Millard of Millard Farms said.

Many vendors are able to educate anyone asking about their products and the various uses. With that willingness to share information, bonds can be formed between seller and customer.

“I like the people. You get to talk to vendors and it’s a great group of people. It’s not Walmart cookie cutter stuff here, vendors have made their stuff and it’s original to them,” Jordan McGee, senior SFA student and Horticulture Club member, said.

Here vendors can grow according to demand. Many of the retailers are returning and have been for years. McGee, as a member of the Horticulture Club, sells small plants to raise money for trips and has experienced this firsthand.

“We started with just a little bit of plants. People kind of expect us to be here now. We definitely have a lot more stuff for sale,” McGee said.

With so many things available to East Texas locals, there is what seems like an infinite amount of recipes to make from food found at the market. By trying new, healthy foods in fun and creative ways people may be more likely to continue eating healthy rather than the usual junk food.

“It’s a health discovery and makes being healthy fun. Aside from food, it’s a health exercise to enjoy people- meeting friendly faces does good for your psychological,” Baker said.

The Nacogdoches Farmers Market is located at 107 Pearl St. in the old hitch lot and is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Starting in spring the market is also open every Wednesday from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. For additional information, including a complete list of vendors and items sold visit nacogdochesfarmersmarket.com.

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