Farmer's Market

Revival of Franklin’s farmer’s market may be located to the St. Mary Parish Courthouse square if the parish council agrees.
Once held at the Old City Market on Willow Street, backers of resurrecting the market say it was too out-of-the-way, and the courthouse location would provide better visibility to people passing by.
Faith Broussard, Centerville, approached the council with the idea. She is a grower and former vendor of the previous farmer’s market.
“People love their fresh vegetables…you know, the last couple of years, it’s all about diet and fresh produce, things that aren’t sprayed with toxins,” she said. “It’s something the community wants. I put it on Facebook, and it just blew up.”
Broussard said she believes that location would make the market successful. “It’s been proven that it’s one of the things that brings a community together,” she said. “It would work here, it would be wonderful for our residents, and it would bring people to our area.”
Local residents sometimes travel to Thibodaux or New Iberia for farmer’s market goods. Broussard said she understands that there should be guidelines for vendors.
Market would be early Saturday mornings, and in peak growing seasons, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., March to April and August to September. There might also be a winter growing season based on availability.
Councilman Dale Rogers said he spoke with Broussard, and had obtained the city’s prior rules and guidelines. “I know there might be some legal issues,” he said.
Parish President David Hanagriff said he sees the potential of a market, and that the “structure” of the event should pass through the administration. He said he has asked legal counsel Eric Duplantis to study the matter.
Broussard said she knows of about four vendors so far, but said when the market begins to operate there will likely be more. She said local vendors would be preferred.
There would be an application process for growers to validate that they are actually growing the produce. Vendors will also be responsible for any applicable taxes.
The matter will be further studied.