The Ruston Farmers Market celebrated its 15th anniversary with a dinner Sept. 21. The celebrants included current and former vendors, founding members of the market, volunteers, customers, and community members. The crowd enjoyed dinner prepared by Desi Bourgeois of Grown and Grazed, a “Louisiana Cooking” Chefs to Watch, live music from “Mixed Notes,” floral arrangements by Lauren Roebuck Designs, and spirits provided by The Keg.
Founding members and vendors were recognized and honored with plaques that will be hung in the market building. Speakers at the dinner recounted the market’s original parking lot location at the corner of Railroad Avenue and South Monroe Street and the collaboration with the City of Ruston that led to its current location in a building at 220 E. Mississippi Ave.
Whitney Hebert, who was hired to organize the event said, “It was such an honor to join the RFM team as an event planner for the 15th Anniversary Dinner. The live music, fabulous food, and spirits made for the perfect way to celebrate the market’s rich history. I’m looking forward to experiencing the RFM for another 15 years.”
The dinner also raised funds for market operations through a silent auction that featured donation from local artists, RFM vendors and board members, NCLAC, Lula Perl, Fess Parker Vineyard, and Keipersol Vineyard. The Ruston Farmers Market is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that benefits from donations, sponsorships, and grants. The Ruston Farmers Market has emerged as a premier destination in Ruston and operates one of the only state farmers markets with only Louisiana-grown and produced products. It operates year round, with typical annual sales of $300,000.
During its 15 years in operation, the market has greatly impacted the community. In addition to taking SNAP for purchase, since 2015, it has doubled SNAP dollars on the first Saturday of each month, due to a generous donation from the Lincoln Health Foundation. Louisiana Tech University School of Design mural classes painted the building’s external and internal murals. The market regularly hosts local musicians on Saturday morning, paid for by a grant from the Roy O. Martin Foundation. Finally, through a generous grant from Ruston Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau, the RFM nearly completed construction of a teaching kitchen, which will be used to serve the community with cooking classes.