Morrilton’s farmers market to accept SNAP

MORRILTON — Main Street Morrilton’s First Thursday Farmers’ Market will start the 2020 season with a drive-thru market from 4-7 p.m. this week on the city’s lot in the 100 block of Commerce Street in downtown Morrilton. New this year is the acceptance of funds provided by the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The market planning committee has worked during the offseason to obtain eligibility in the SNAP retailer program, a long process that has included many training sessions and extensive research. The committee’s lead resource on SNAP education came from Conway County Extension Agent Shannon Autrey, who also served on the committee last year.

“We are especially excited to accept SNAP benefits at our market now, since so many in our community are experiencing economic hardship due to COVID-19,” said Autrey, a registered dietitian.

Committee Chair Kara Jones also expressed her excitement about the market returning for a second season.

“The community has embraced our unique market, helping it to grow and thrive throughout the 2019 season,” Jones said. “It became an outlet for volunteering, education and community fellowship, which makes downtown Morrilton shine.”

Current vendors who have committed to this week’s market include Cedar Rock Acres, Green Acres Atkins, Big D Beef, Motown Cooking Mama, and Handmade and Homegrown. Shoppers can make purchases at the market or view vendor menus beforehand on the Facebook event page, First Thursday and Main Street Farmers’ Market, and pre-order items based on vendor participation. Menus and pre-order information will be posted as made available by vendors. Vendor applications are still open at www.mainstreetmorrilton.org.

Due to restrictions because of COVID-19, the June 4 farmers market will feature only local produce and farm items, locally prepared food products and plants producing edible parts. The committee hopes craft vendors will be able to return for the July market if government guidelines allow it. All markets are rain-or-shine events.

A market map will be posted to the Facebook event page. The committee’s plan is to have one point of entry and one exit. The city has permitted the temporary closing of Commerce Street to through traffic during market hours. Farmers market customers will be directed to enter the market at the intersection of Commerce and Moose streets and exit onto Division Street.

Shoppers will be guided to the Express Lane for pre-order/ pre-paid or given a menu of vendor items and prices and sent to the main drive-thru lane. Walkers are also welcome to walk through the market in the vehicle lane. Walk-up customers must wear a mask, and all market visitors are encouraged to wear a mask for added safety.

Before approaching vendors, patrons will pass an information booth, where they can ask questions, obtain SNAP tokens by running their card, or run a debit or credit card for tokens to use the same as cash.

“Since the market itself was able to become a SNAP retailer, individual vendors will be able to offer their food items to SNAP participants without having to apply individually,” Autrey said. “This should make for a simple and positive experience for both shoppers and vendors.”

For more information, visit www.mainstreetmorrilton.org, or follow Main Street Morrilton on Facebook.