Lil' Farmers Club to debut at Little Rock market

Dean the Bean and his fruit and veggie pals are back, making it even easier (and more fun) for central Arkansas residents to eat fresh and local foods.

The Little Rock Farmers Market opens for the 2017 season on Saturday with a bevy of vendors selling farm-fresh produce in downtown Little Rock's River Market Pavilions. But it's not all food. Patrons can wander through stalls of flowers, arts and crafts and antiques.

The market's grand opening will include face painting for children from 8-10 a.m., balloon twisters and other children's entertainment, and a visit from market mascot Dean the Bean, 9-11 a.m.

Opening day also gives people the chance to learn about and sign up for the market's newest addition: the Lil' Farmers Club.

The club will meet once a month starting May 13 as part of the market's ever-expanding Second Saturdays program.

"It's a whole lot of fun," says Director of River Market Operations Diana Long. "We're going to do some teaching and encouraging them to try new foods but it will be through games and activities."

Every month will feature a new activity that introduces children 12 years and under to new, nutritious foods they can find at the Farmers Market. Children don't have to attend every month but there will be five, with a different program every time.

While participation is free, Long encourages parents to register their children this Saturday so the club has supplies for everyone. Unregistered children will still be allowed to take part, though.

"I would not turn a kid away," Long says. "We're trying to be inclusive. Even if they only learn something that day, that's better than nothing."

The Lil' Farmers Club joins a list of other Second Saturday activities provided by groups such as the Little Rock Master Gardeners, Central Arkansas Library System, Rock City Rescue and the American Red Cross. And, for the adults, there's the continuing Garden Gourmet Chef Series with cooking demonstrations from Pulaski Tech Culinary Institute students.

Parking is one thing that can be tricky downtown, particularly on busy Saturdays. Long wants people to know of the market's free parking.

The small lot off Ottenheimer Plaza is free, but it's also usually full. When it's full, patrons may park in the River Market parking deck at Second Street and River Market Avenue and then look for staff members in red polo shirts, who will have special market passes available.

Long says, "They can ask any of us out there and we will make sure they get out for free."

Also, she adds, the parking behind the pavilion along the amphitheatre fence is intended for handicapped and elderly patrons.

There will be a lot going on and Long encourages people to watch the market's Facebook page (facebook.com/LRFarmersMarket), which will be updated with lists of vendors, announcements, photos and a heads-up on produce.

"People are always waiting to find out where the local tomatoes are," Long says. "It's a good resource to learn a lot more about what we're doing."

Weekend on 05/04/2017