Salina Farmer’s Market Effort Gets Support

The farmer’s market effort in Salina is getting a boost, in the form of a nearly $100,000 grant from the federal government. Organizers of the Salina local food markets received word earlier this month that a grant in the amount of $98,790 has been approved by the United States Department of Agriculture.

According to the USDA, the purpose of the funding is to increase sales and access of locally and regionally produced agricultural products in Saline County. Also, increasing the knowledge of local, state, regional and federal programs to assist with direct-to-consumer sales and Good Agricultural Practices  certification through the implementation of a marketing campaign that targets food deserts and consumers that are recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and providing materials for farm vendors.

Farmer’s markets have been growing in popularity in the Salina area. There are currently three thriving. They include:

  • Wednesdays 4:30pm – 7:00pm in the parking lot of the Masonic Center on South Santa Fe
  • Fridays 4:30pm to 7 p.m. Fridays in a lot at 339 N. Ninth Street next to Dairy Queen
  • Saturdays 7:30am to 11 am in the parking lot of Waters True Value, 460 S. Ohio

Each local farmer’s market is open seasonally, from spring through the late fall.