Perry County Farmers Market schedules vendor meeting March 9 in Hazard

The Perry County Farmers Market has scheduled its 2026 vendor meeting for Monday, March 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at 420 Main Street in Hazard, inviting current and prospective vendors to attend “to review rules, membership options, voucher programs,” according to the posted event listing. The market’s organizers say the meeting will serve as the season’s organizational kickoff and cover vendor eligibility and program participation.

Social media posts from the market offer a conflicting schedule. The market’s Instagram account posted: "We're excited to kick off the season and connect with our amazing vendors! Join us for the Farmers Market Vendors Meeting on March 11 at 11:30am." A Facebook excerpt frames the gathering as the official season start: "The 2026 Market Season officially begins with our Vendor Meeting! If you plan to sell at the Perry County Farmers Market this year," but the Facebook excerpt does not include a full date or time in the available text. Journalists and vendors should confirm the final date and time with market contacts.

The Perry County Farmers Market “serves as a space to connect area consumers and producers,” offering homegrown seasonal produce and handmade crafts. The market lists tomatoes, corn, squash, melons, peppers, beans, and honey among its produce and birdhouses, linens and fashion accessories among crafts. Perrycountyky copy describes the market as “one of the longest-running farmers markets in the region” and states a market season of May 28 - Oct 16; the season dates in the site copy should be verified for 2026.

Benefit programs are a focal point for the meeting. The market’s public materials state: "Now accepting SNAP, WIC, and Senior Vouchers. Visit the Market table to learn about doubling your benefits: $5 SNAP = $10 of produce! Courtesy of Community Farm Alliance, Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, and individual donors." Organizers have cited Community Farm Alliance and the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky as funders of the doubling program.

Supervision and recent planning activity are handled by North Fork Local Food. The nonprofit’s mission statement reads: “The mission of NorthFork Local Food is to increase access to locally grown and produced foods within communities along and around the North Fork of the Kentucky River. We envision a local food system that is robust, accessible, and sustainable.” North Fork Local Food lists its address at 481 Main Street, Hazard, KY 41701 and phone 606-439-1816. Market Manager Emily Whitaker, Board Chair Jennifer Weeber, and Community Farm Alliance Farm to Table Associate Carolyn Davis participated in a late-January winter meeting and vendor training; as Cfaky reported, “Farmers know that if you want to have tomatoes to sell in June, you better seed them in February.”

The event listing gives 420 Main Street as the meeting venue while North Fork Local Food’s office is at 481 Main Street; vendors should confirm whether the March meeting is at the 420 Main Street location or at the North Fork office. For verification and further details contact the Perry County Farmers Market at (606) 207-5833 or North Fork Local Food at 606-439-1816. The meeting is expected to finalize vendor rosters and voucher program participation ahead of the market’s May 28 opening window.