Minden Farm & Garden is hosting a Farmer’s Market that is set to run through mid-july where plenty of fresh produce, baked goods, and other delights are available and made by local farmers.
The market officially started two Saturdays ago, and came to be after owner of Minden Farm and Garden Mitsy Thomas saw a need in the local community that needed to be filled.
“Every town has got a Farmer’s Market now and Minden doesn’t, and, people are looking for vegetables, and this year there should be an overabundance because of the pandemic. There’s more people planting gardens this year than ever and the people who can’t plant a garden are looking. We don’t want them to have to go to Shreveport or Ruston. We’re hoping that they’ll stay in Minden and support some of the locals,” said Thomas.
They are still currently looking for vendors and there is no set up fee. Anyone interested can call Minden Farm and Garden at (318) 371-0010 for more information.
“We’re not handling any of the money, that’s all done separate. I’m not in it to make a bunch of money. I’m in it for the people of Minden to have some fresh vegetables,” said Thomas.
One of the local vendors out there was Kingdom Acres Farm, which primarily works off of a membership people can join in order to get first picks of their crop. They then bundle together the produce and prepare it for pickup at the market while also selling any produce that wasn’t reserved.
“Our farm primarily works off of farm memberships, so we have people that buy into our farms. We send out email subscriptions when they’re available, and you buy them at $250. Everything we’re selling here today is extra. Our members get first picks. They go online, order they’re stuff, and meet us here for pickup,” said DJ Thomas.
Another vendor was a group of teens who sold blueberries as their main product under the business that they’re grandfather started for them. “We’re just a family business, this is what we do every summer. My Grandpa started it, so that’s why it’s called Gary’s Blueberries, and then after he passed we sorta just took it on and kept doing it every summer,” said Greta Simolke.
Thomas also mentioned that they will be hosting the Lakeside Jr. High Cheerleaders starting Tuesday who will be selling watermelons in order to raise funds.
The Farmer’s Market is currently set to last through mid-July, and will take place every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Minden Farm and Garden located at 1307 Sibley Rd.