By Hanna Singh
Lincoln Parish Journal
As springtime approaches, it’s the perfect time to add going to the Ruston Farmers Market to your weekly routine. Each Saturday, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., the community can come shop from local farmers, small businesses and creators.
The Ruston Farmers Market began in 2007 as a simple conversation during a local book club. The idea sparked an effort to develop a thriving market powered by local volunteers, farmers and neighbors who believed in the project. The market grew from a small parking lot market, into an indoor renovated warehouse, weatherproofed and designed for vendors, customers and community events.
Market Coordinator, Caitlyn Lawrence, highlighted the important role that the market plays in the Lincoln Parish community.
“The Ruston Farmers Market is a year-round, producers-only market that connects the Lincoln Parish community directly with local farmers, ranchers, bakers and makers,” Lawrence said. “The market allows small businesses to interact with customers to tell their story and keeps the dollars in the community. In addition to the weekly market, we provide various classes and resources to educate community members about how to use the products they get at the farmers market in their own homes.”
One of the resources offered is the Drew Jones Teaching Kitchen located at the Ruston Farmers Market. Named in honor of the late Drew Jones, the kitchen provides access to culinary education by offering a range of classes from hands-on cooking workshops to free educational sessions. In 2026, cooking classes are planned for every Tuesday and Thursday. In addition, one Tuesday a month will host a free community kitchen class that is open to all participants.
Kitchen Director, Paxton Lobbes, shared the motivation for offering these classes to the community.
“We enjoy partnering with local restaurants and businesses by inviting them to send a staff member to teach a class,” Lobbes said. “This allows us to highlight local talent, support small businesses and give participants a chance to learn directly from experienced professionals in the community.”
As a member of the North Louisiana Farm Fresh (NLFF) the Ruston Farmers Market maintains many partnerships to offer accessible fresh food to the community. The market partners with Greaux the Good to help SNAP customers stretch their dollars further, increasing access to locally produced food.
Each Saturday, SNAP customers can receive up to an additional $40 in matching funds, allowing them to purchase more food for their household while supporting local agriculture. The Louisiana National Land Bank also partners with the market to provide funding to allow local musicians to perform on the market day.
The Ruston Farmers Market aims to provide the best quality fresh and healthy produce, so their selection of vendors is very intentional. Lawrence explained the process of selecting locally sourced and unique vendors for the market.