McALESTER —
The McAlester Farmers Market is open once again on Main Street and Cherokee Avenue.
One farmer, Clarence Painter of McAlester said this years crop was better than last year’s.
“This years been good with the rain we got,” Painter said as he stood under the red “Farmers Market” canopy next to a table covered with baskets of large yellow and green squash, bell peppers and okra. Last year he said he watched as his crop withered and died with the drought and he just gave up. But this year he was back in business.
The market, a McAlester staple for more than 20 years, started when farmers gathered to sell fruit and vegetables under a tree, said Ted Evicks Oklahoma State University Extension agent for Pittsburg County.
Soon due to the popularity of the market and some generous donations, the pavilion that now hosts the market was built and a white steel fence was recently added.
Residents can usually find local farmers selling their bounty on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more on this story, see the print or electronic editions of the McAlester News-Capital. Click here for print edition home delivery or click here to see the Smart Edition for your computer, tablet, e-reader or smart phone.
Contact Jeanne LeFlore at jleflore@mcalesternews.com.
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