Ruston Farmers Market

Ruston Farmers Market is tied directly to a larger nonprofit food effort: the market and the Drew Jones Teaching Kitchen both operate as programs of North Louisiana Farm Fresh, a 501(c)(3) focused on direct producer-to-consumer sales, local food network development, and education in sustainable agriculture, health, and nutrition across North Louisiana. That mission gives this market a distinct shape. Alongside weekly shopping, it pairs farm produce, prepared foods, meats, flowers, and crafts with cooking classes and volunteer opportunities, making the Saturday market feel connected to a broader local food system rather than a standalone retail stop.

Why it matters locally

North Louisiana Farm Fresh was formed to operate Ruston Farmers Market, and its stated mission centers on direct producer-to-consumer sales opportunities, support for a local food network, and educational outreach in sustainable agriculture, health, and nutrition throughout North Louisiana. That local emphasis shows up not just in the market itself, but in the Drew Jones Teaching Kitchen, which opened in 2024 and hosts classes and events connected to the market.

The market also keeps its programming rooted in local participation. A June class was led by RFM vendor Michelle Albritton, while another was led by The Local, linking instruction back to the same businesses and producers shoppers encounter on market day.

What you'll find there

The vendor mix reaches well beyond raw produce. Ruston Farmers Market brings together growers, meat producers, bakers, prepared-food vendors, flowers, pantry goods, body care, and handmade goods, with the market noting that not every vendor attends every week.

• -Pick up a broad vegetable spread from Estes Farms, including tomatoes, potatoes, onions, eggplant, okra, squash, peppers, kale, lettuce, cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe, herbs, and pickles.
• -Find specialty mushrooms at Bayou Shroomery, including lion's mane, blue oysters, pink oyster mushrooms, dried mushrooms, grow kits, and tinctures.
• -Bring home pecans and honey from Big Creek Honey & Pecans.
• -Look for eggs, goat milk, and honey from Briarhill Farms LLC.
• -Choose fresh-cut flowers, onions, kale, beets, and radicchio from Renner Gardens.
• -Browse another Renner Gardens offering of mixed flower bunches, leeks, brussel sprouts, spaghetti squash, heirloom summer squash, beets, Thai roselle, kale, herbs, and heirloom cherry tomatoes.
• -Shop Thompson's Peach Farm for peaches, squash, and zuchinni.
• -Buy beef, lamb, sausages, and smoked meats from Smith Family Farms.
• -Add microgreens from Scarborough Farm, including sunflower shoots, broccoli, arugula, daikon radish, basil, and more.
• -Take home jellies, jams, preserves, pepper jams, and pickles from Michael & Michelle's Sweet Creations.
• -Order authentic Middle Eastern food from Haj's Kitchen, including hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel, fatayer, and fresh Ramadan bread.
• -Grab a made-to-order meal from NOW THAT’S A SALAD with grilled chicken or shrimp salads and toppings of your choice.
• -Save room for Sugar Shack Bakery items such as strawberry cream cheese brownies, gourmet brownies, pecan pie slices, salted caramel fudge, and mild spicy pecans.
• -Browse cutting boards, pens, lazy susans, and segmented bowls from North Forty Woodworks.

The teaching kitchen adds another layer to the market calendar, with hands-on classes such as Knife Skills & Basics, Peach Cobbler Made Simple, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls, and Charcuterie Boarding & Wine Tasting at the Drew Jones Teaching Kitchen.

Know before you go

No dogs are allowed, which is the clearest rule likely to affect how you plan your Saturday visit. The market runs at 220 E. Mississippi Avenue in Ruston and is scheduled on Saturdays from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. during its April-to-December season. If you're shopping for specific vendors, plan with some flexibility: the market notes that not every vendor will be at every market, even though they are part of the overall vendor roster.

The market is also linked to the Drew Jones Teaching Kitchen, which opened in 2024 and hosts classes and events, so some visits may line up with additional food programming beyond the shopping stalls.

Payments & SNAP

SNAP/EBT is accepted at Ruston Farmers Market. The market directs EBT shoppers to the Welcome Booth for card use instructions, making that booth the key first stop if you're planning to use benefits. Through Greaux the Good, the market is also able to double value up to $20 per market day.