While most grocery stores provide the same quality of food and products, farmer’s markets have a reputation of being a local, fresher alternative. 
These markets help connect local farmers to urban-selling opportunities and provide residents with access to fresh, homegrown produce and locally sourced products that they may not otherwise have.
The Starkville Community Market is no different, as it provides customers with a unique range of products and fresh produce for all of Starkville’s residents and visitors to enjoy.
The market takes place at Fire Station Park from 8 – 11 a.m. and is coordinated by the directors of the Starkville Community Market Advisory Board and the director of Main Street, Paige Watson. Watson oversees and coordinates the Starkville Main Street Association and the Starkville Community Market.
According to Watson, the market brings in thousands of people to downtown Starkville every year, and the Main Street Association hopes to keep increasing those numbers. 
“The market creates opportunities for entrepreneurs who make and produce local food, while contributing to the quality of life for all Starkville residents,” Watson said.
Based on the amount of people the market has brought to downtown Starkville, an estimated 15,000 in 2022 alone, this market has done just that.
With large spreads of fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade jams, baked goods and candy, it is no wonder this little market has attracted so many visitors.
While food is the focus, there are a multitude of other products offered by the market, including fresh flowers, handmade jewelry, lotions, homemade soap and books.
The book stand, which offers an assortment of genres from children’s books to romance novels and non-fiction texts, is a community service project organized by the Kiwanis Club of Starkville.
The president of the Kiwanis Club of Starkville, Richard Switzer, revealed that they give away the books for free to provide children with free educational opportunities.
“We are volunteers working to improve the world one child and one community at a time,” Switzer said. 
These books change every Saturday, so children can always find a new book or topic that interests them while their parents search through the various assortments of merchandise and food. 
The market also offers a variety of activities that appeal to several different demographics, including arts and crafts, cooking and gardening demonstrations, children’s activities and live music.
Anne Marie Sullivan, a sophomore biological science major at Mississippi State University, enjoys the market’s “small town feel” and believes the market to be a great way for small vendors to gain footing. When asked about the market’s atmosphere, Sullivan described it as comfortable.
“There’s families selling goods, children playing while their parents work the booth, dogs playing and adults talking and getting to know each other — all together an event families, students and members of the community are comfortable with attending and enjoying on a Saturday morning,” Sullivan said.
Watson, Switzer and Sullivan can attest that the market cultivates a relationship among Starkville residents and visitors as they come together to exchange ideas and socialize, all while enjoying everything the market has to offer.
Whether it is looking for a bouquet of flowers, trying delicious cinnamon rolls, watching a dance demonstration or learning a new recipe, this market has something for everyone.

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Gabriella Sutherland | The Reflector

The Kiwanis Club of Starkville gives away free books every Saturday morning at the Starkville Community Market.