Area shoppers and visitors will be able to buy locally grown produce at the Mississippi Crossroads Farmers’ Market beginning in May.
Anna Turner, market organizer, told Winona Aldermen during a regular meeting on Tuesday there will be a soft opening for the market on May 20 and a grand opening on May 27.
She provided a report on the progress of the farmers’ market, which began in 2022 during the middle of the growing season.
“We started small, and we grew very quickly. We began working with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce and the Montgomery County Extension Service to help develop our market,” said Turner. “Within four weeks of being open, we became a Mississippi certified farmers’ market, which normally would take a year or more to achieve.”She said being a certified market enables Mississippi Crossroads to show patrons local farmers sell safe “Mississippi farmed goods” and allows them to participate in the Farmers’ Market Nutrition program.
“This program offers seniors a voucher to purchase a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and honey from our local farmers at our market,” said Turner. “We’re also looking into being able to accept EBT and WIC in the future as well.”
As of Tuesday, the Mississippi Crossroads Farmers’ Market had 16 members, 20 vendors and “numerous prospective vendors interested in joining,” according to Turner.
“Out of our vendors, we have five dedicated farms. Every single one of them has already planted three to four times as much produce today than they planted last year in preparation of our farmers’ market this year,” said Turner.
She went on to say, “from last year’s sales, we were all able to expand our farms to grow more vegetables for our communities and our customers.”
Turner asked board members during the meeting if farmers could set up the market near the old Winona Police Station off Summit Street again this year.
She also asked the board to buy signs, directing potential shoppers to the market.
Aldermen voted all in favor of the location and purchasing signs on Alderman Mickey Austin’s motion, which was seconded by Alderwoman Sylvia Clark.
Turner informed the board of more people being interested in agriculture and provided goods for sell at the market.
“Personally, I see the Mississippi Crossroads Farmers’ Market continuing to thrive here in Winona for decades to come,” said Turner. “It definitely has the potential to drive people right here to Winona every Saturday morning.”
In other board news:
• Aldermen agreed all in favor to eliminate old Police Department case documents according to state statute on a motion made by Alderman Charles Harris, which was seconded by Alderman Travis Johnson.
• Austin made a motion to accept bid on a loan from the Bank of Kilmichael at 4.57 percent (short term or long term) to purchase a new fire truck and Harris seconded with the board voting all in favor.
• The Winona Street Department is asking people not to blow grass and other debris into the streets. The debris has been causing storm drains to clog.
• Winona Police Chief Roshaun Daniels promoted B.J. Edwards, Mike Herring and James Burnett to sergeant.
