Fort Smith Farmers Market grows from a ‘yellow tent’ to planned solar roofs

The Fort Smith Farmers Market on Garrison Avenue began with one man’s vision, a yellow tent, and an “open” sign around 23 years ago. Now, the market has 72 vendors bringing a wide range of products to sell in downtown Fort Smith.

This year is expected to be the last year of markets under tents as plans for solar paneled roofs are in the works.

“Our farmer and founder Joe Carr had a longtime vision to provide farm fresh produce to the River Valley community long ago. On April 28, 2003, he set up his yellow tent and set out the “OPEN” sign. The rest is history,” noted Kathy Mazyck, secretary/treasurer for Fort Smith Farmers Market.

The market has a Facebook page (Fort Smith Farmers Market on Garrison Avenue) to inform people of the goods offered on Saturdays and at smaller Wednesday markets.

Carr established the market with only himself and one other vendor. He was “unwavering with his concept of a ‘true’ farmers market where all vendors of the market would not only be the ‘sellers’ of fresh produce, but also the ‘growers,’” Mazyck said.

He insisted the patrons of the market would be able to know where the food they were buying was grown, and who was growing it. That concept turned the market into a place where customers bonded with the vendors and vice-versa.

“You can still feel that good relationship today,” said Mazyck.

After 22 years, Carr remains manager of the market, which is expecting 72 vendors this season. The market consists of 75% produce and food vendors and 25% craft vendors. Vendors are selected from a pool of applicants who are able to meet the market’s standards, according to Mazyck.

The Fort Smith Farmers Market “attracts [roughly 300-400] people to all the shops and businesses on Garrison Avenue and puts them in an easy spot to visit the Bakery District, which is beneficial to all of Downtown Fort Smith,” said Mazyck.

The market is open every Saturday from 7 a.m. to Noon during the months of March-December. The market can be found at the corner of 2nd Street and Garrison Avenue in downtown Fort Smith.

Farmers offer different items for sale as the seasons change. In April, patrons can expect spring vegetables. June starts the peak season for vendors.

“Farmers may plant, then experience so much rain they are forced to replant, causing later harvests. They also fight pests, deer raids, heat waves, crop failures and a host of other problems. However, they are the hardest working, most resilient group of people you will ever meet,” said Mazyck.

Produce expected to be at the market includes Webbers Falls corn, blackberries, blueberries, red and green tomatoes, eggs, salad ingredients mixed with micro-greens, and mushrooms, and U.S. Department of Agriculture inspected meats ranging from filet mignon, chuck roasts, bacon, chicken, and lamb.

The market also includes two food trucks that sell drinks and sandwiches. Bakery vendors are expected to sell french pastries, cookies, cakes, breads, and baguettes. Crafting vendors will have hand-painted bird houses, wooden spoons, handcrafted furniture, tie-dyed and hand-smocked clothing, and knitted items.

The market “started with one tent and grew to many tents,” Mazyck noted. “We hope, by the end of this year,  that vendors will finally be able to pack up the tents and be working under solar panel roofing, keeping us all cooler and protecting vendors and patrons in bad weather. We are grateful to all who carved out a portion of a federal EPA grant to make this possible. A beautiful new look and feel will be on the same corner with the same people ready to serve. And as usual, Joe will be right in the same spot where he began.”