Delta Harvest market adjusts from weekly to monthly

The Delta Harvest Neighborhood Market is changing its hours as it continues its mission to support Delta farmers and Mississippi shoppers with fresh, locally grown foods.

The market is now open monthly rather than weekly. It will open on Oct. 22, Nov. 24, Dec. 23 and Dec. 29 at the Jackson Medical Mall from noon until 6 p.m. Shoppers can visit shopdeltaharvest.com to keep up with the market’s hours.

Tracy Johnson, executive director of the Itta Bena Economic and Cultural Alliance, explained that the pilot phase, which lasted from June to August, proved that there was enough demand to make the market work. Now, they’ve entered a new phase focused on supporting the farmers.

“We’re working with the farmers in the Delta, giving them the technical assistance they need so they can grow quality, safe produce, and also growing more volume so that we’ll be able to supply the market,” he said.

Alcorn State University and Mississippi State University are providing the farmers with training and technical assistance. This includes soil testing, food safety, business skills and more. A demonstration farm in Itta Bena will be used as a training center.

The project is also partnering with the city of Itta Bena, the city of Greenwood and Leflore County in the Mississippi Delta.

“It’s really not just about a market, it’s about the complete regional value chain,” Johnson said.

The market has grown to include eight Delta farmers, and they supply about 50% of everything sold there. The hope is that farmers will eventually supply 90%, but for now the market relies on wholesale farmers throughout Mississippi and from Tennessee. 

They’re working to build a regional food system that will connect Delta farmers with local consumers. The long-term goal is to have a stand-alone location open daily and multiple locations across the state.

Some customers at a recent market didn’t mind the new hours. 

“Being open once a month, I think it’s better because it gives the buyer an opportunity to prepare, and they’ll probably spend more,” said Shirley Haynes-Price. She came to the market with her sister, Nellie Haynes-Woodard, to buy squash.

“It really helps me because there’s no one but me really cooking or eating anything,” she Haynes-Woodard, who was excited about her fruit and turkey wings.

At their first market back in June, farmer Patricia Potter spoke about the market’s benefits.

“It (Delta Harvest Market) gets you out to other people to know that you’re growing healthy food and good stuff coming out of the garden,” she said.