River Market Farmers Season Opens With Bigger Vendor Lineup

Little Rock's downtown farmers market returned for the season over the weekend with its biggest vendor lineup in years, pulling crowds back to the River Market district for early tomatoes, fresh eggs, cut flowers, and a long row of food trucks.

Organizers said dozens of growers and makers signed up this year, several of them first-timers from small farms outside the city. Live music and a kids' area rounded out the opening day, which benefited from clear skies and mild temperatures.

Vendors said the market has become a reliable outlet for small producers who cannot easily reach grocery shelves, and a place where regulars come as much for the conversation as the produce. Shoppers filled reusable bags with strawberries, honey, and baked goods.

The market runs on weekend mornings through the fall. Organizers said they hope the strong opening carries into the peak summer weeks, when Arkansas produce hits its stride.