GENTRY — According to the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the average piece of produce travels over 1,500 miles before arriving at the store where people will buy it, but people living in the Gentry area will soon have the ability to buy fresh food grown much closer to home.

The Gentry Farmers’ Market will open its 2010 season on April 11 under the pavilion next to the Chicken Coop Flea Market, at 500 East Main Street. The structure will provide a permanent, comfortable and easily-accessible home to the Farmers’ Market throughout the season, planned to last until the end of September. The Farmers’ Market will be open Wednesdays: 2-8 p.m., Fridays: 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturdays: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays: 1-4 p.m.

In addition to good, fresh food, children’s activities, entertainment and learning opportunities are planned for Saturday market days. The Gentry Farmers’ Market will also be accepting debit cards, EBT/SNAP and WIC vouchers this season.

“Many of our vendors have never participated in a farmers’ market before, and I expect that we will have a lot of “first-timers” among the customers, too.” said Leslie Olson, market manager. “But I think that if they come once, people will keep coming back for the familyfriendly atmosphere and the great food.”

Community members interested in applying to be vendors should contact Leslie Olson, Gentry Farmers’ Market Manager at 479-233-2366, e-mail [email protected] or pick up a copy of the form and rules at The Chicken Coop.

About the Gentry Farmers’ Market Association

The Gentry Farmers’ Market Association incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in Arkansas this year with the purpose of promoting healthy foods and economic opportunities to community members in and around Gentry. Board members include Melissa Graef of the Chicken Coop, Kelsie Klassen of the Garden Gate, Janie Parks of Parks’ Lumber and Jessica Sims of Decatur State Bank.

News, Pages 1 on 03/31/2010