East Texas farmers market expanding, offering more vendor space

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) - An East Texas town moved its growing farmers market to a new location. Their goal: supporting local small businesses and farmers as well as investing in the next generation of agricultural farmers.

Market on Main had its grand opening today in the green space across from Bullard City Hall.

It originally started about one year ago at a different location, but quickly outgrew its space.

The market is sponsored by the Bullard Chamber of Commerce, and takes place every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“We’re just giving small businesses the opportunity to come out and flourish and grow and to give the community some place to come and shop those small businesses,” owner of Dangling Divas, LeAnn Henson said.

The market currently consists of seventeen vendors, made up of local artisans and farmers selling items such as fresh produce, freeze dried candy, homemade soaps, baked goods, coffee, dog treats, and handmade gifts.

“Supporting small businesses is extremely important because you’re supporting families, you’re not supporting the big box companies, you’re supporting getting that little girl to dance class or you’re supporting someone going to college,” Henson said.

Sponsorships with the Chamber of Commerce will go to offer scholarship opportunities to FAA students from Bullard High School to help send them to college. The market also gives the students an opportunity to sell eggs and produce to earn money.

Every Thursday, the FAA has a booth set up where students are giving out free lemonade. They have a donation jar, and all the money raised will go to the student working the stand that day to support their supervised Agricultural Experience Project.

“Believe it or not, there are a lot of people out there that would be really great agricultural farmers but they can’t afford to provide their child with that opportunity,” Bullard FFA parent, Coral Hand said. “This gives those students a way to make that money themselves.”

The market not only brings the community together to support local small businesses and farmers, but also teaches the next generation something very valuable.

“This market means teaching my kids a better way of life,” Hand said. “It means showing people that farming is not a dying profession. We need farmers and we need to support local farmers.”

Local businesses and farmers that want to participate can become a Friend of the Chamber for $50 which allows them to set up at the market for three months.

After that, it’s $50 per quarter to continue setting up at the market.

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