TDA Helps Fund Memphis Farmers Market Expansion

MEMPHIS – Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens today announced a $100,000 matching grant to the downtown Memphis Farmers Market to help expand vendor space for locally grown farm products. The total cost of the project is estimated at $360,000.

 

“Supporting the Memphis Farmers Market fits right into our mission of increasing farm profits while providing consumers and the urban community with better access to healthier and affordable locally grown fresh produce,” said Givens. “On behalf of Governor Bredesen and the Shelby County legislative delegation, I’m proud to announce this important investment, and we’re glad to support the great work being done by the market in the downtown area.” 

 

Funding for the $100,000 matching grant is from the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program, which was established by Governor Phil Bredesen in 2005 to help increase farm profits and to support agricultural development in the state. The grant is being made available to the Memphis Farmers Market through the Memphis City Center Development Corporation and is being matched by the market and with donations from local foundations, businesses and individuals. 

 

“Our market has grown significantly over the years, and currently more than a dozen vendors are without cover—a great feature that really sets us apart from other markets,” said Susan Kitsinger, President, Memphis Farmers Market. “This generous grant will allow the Memphis Farmers Market to grow to the next level by increasing our covered, open-air market space and by better serving our local farmers and artistans.”

 

Kitsinger added that the improvements will also provide Memphis Area Transit Authority with covered parking spaces as well as access to covered passenger drop-off during inclement weather. The market currently leases the property from MATA.    

 

The pavilion will be constructed in the parking lot located adjacent to the current pavilion. The new pavilion is expected to help generate an additional $600,000 in annual sales for local farmers and is targeted for completion in March 2011.

 

The Memphis Farmers Market is a weekly non-profit outdoor marketing that features local farmers and artisans as well as locally produced arts and crafts. It also serves to educate the local community about eating local, nutrition and food choices. More than 65,000 people visited the market in 2009 which featured more than 70 vendors. The market is open Saturdays 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. mid-April through October and is located at S. Front Street at GE Patterson in the Historic South Main District. 

 

For more information about the Memphis Farmers Market visit online at www.memphisfarmersmarket.org or call 901-575-0580. For information about the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program, visit www.TN.gov/agriculture.