Oxford’s first city-run farmers market will open at the end of April.
By Taylor Delandro
Ole Miss students and Oxonians will have another healthy produce option by the end of April.
The Oxford City Market opens Apr. 30 and will run from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesdays at West Oxford Loop, next to Southland Body Shop.
“The mission of the Oxford City Market is to give local residents access to local nutritional, healthy and sustainable items and food,” said Katie Morrison, Oxford City Market manager.
Morrison said the market will not be limited to only selling produce, but will offer other services, as well.
“We have the possibility of having centers that are showing people how they can grow strawberries, lettuces and herbs even if all a person has is a window sill,” she said.
Morrison said the market will be primarily food- and garden-related but some items may not be typical things seen at a farmers market.
“I think a lot of variety will be seen at this market,” she said. “I think this will be unique to Oxford and people will be surprised with the things that will be for sale.”
The land for the market was given by John Trezevant, owner of Trezevant Realty Corporation, who said the location is ideal.
“The mayor called me and asked if we had anything that they could use to jump-start their farmers market,” Trezevant said. “I think it’s a perfect place for them to go to take advantage of all of the development that has been going on that side of town.”
Trezevant also said the market will allow people to get out and shop, get their produce and benefit the city endeavor as well as introduce them to West Oxford Loop.
Jarrod Boyd, journalism sophomore, said he feels that the Oxford community will benefit from having fresh produce in town on a weekly basis.
“It’s important to have options when considering fresh fruit, especially in a world where many areas are food deserts and healthy produce is so hard to find,” he said.
Boyd added that having a fresh food market will be nice for students on the go, too.
“Having a fresh food market is ideal for promoting healthier choices and lifestyle habits in between busy schedules,” Boyd said.
Plans are being made so the market can accept food stamps and take part in other food voucher programs, according to Morrison.
Vendor applications are being accepted now. Booths can be rented for the entire season or one day at a time. The cost to rent a booth is $10 a day for produce vendors, $15 a day for prepared food vendors and $20 for arts and crafts vendors.
For more information about becoming a vendor, contact Morrison at (662) 832-7257 or katiemorrision@oxfordms.net.
