Pride of the Pine Belt: Farmer's Market | Community Spirit

HATTIESBURG, MS. (WDAM) - The Farmers Market in downtown Hattiesburg takes place on Thursdays at the Hub City's Town Square Park from three to six PM.

Pine Belt residents can stock up on locally grown produce. Stuart Gates, the chef and owner of the Depot Coffee House in Hattiesburg, is a frequent shopper.

According to Gates, "I guess with cooking I've found one constant is when you use premium ingredients, you get premium results."

That is why Gates uses the items he buys at the market on Thursdays to build a Friday lunch menu based on those ingredients like blueberries.

"We are doing a chilled blueberry soup, we are doing a salad based on all of our findings from anything like carrots to heirloom tomatoes even the local goat cheese," said Gates.

Gates also uses veggies from the market for the Depot's popular quiche. Organizers of the Farmers Market, like Anna Cagle, explain that Hattiesburg residents care about purchasing food from their neighbors in the region.

Cagle said, "More and more people want to connect with their food. They want to connect with where they are getting their food and this allows them to do that."

The Farmers Market is open through October. Starting June 16th and continuing through the third Thursday of each month, the Farmers Market will also feature pieces from local artists.

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