Become a Locavore in Arkansas

Eating local has become the new call to arms among environmentalists and health nuts everywhere. Eating local has several advantages: normally the food is fresher because it's harvested nearby and needs no preservatives or chemicals, you learn to eat seasonally when foods taste best, you support your local economy and local foods have a lower carbon footprint because they don't need to be transported as far and oftentimes, small farms are more likely to use environmentally friendly processes than larger, mass market farms. There's a book titled, "Plenty: Eating Locally on the 100-Mile Diet" by Alisa Smith and J.B. Mackinnon that gives more insight into the movement or you can check out About's Local Foods site.

Since Arkansas is an agricultural state, we have plenty of opportunities to eat locally or, as they say, become a locavore. Even in the big city of Little Rock, there are opportunities to support local agriculture.

Farmer's Markets

• Certified Arkansas Farmer's Market (CAFM) -
  Only products grown in Arkansas can be sold at the CAFM. The market features produce, meats like beefalo and fresh herbs.

  There are two locations for the CAFM: central Arkansas in the Argenta district of North Little Rock and Hot Springs Village.

  Directions: The Argenta District is located in downtown North Little Rock, not far from Alltel Arena. The Farmer's Market the 400 block of Main Street, right on the trolley line beside the old US Post Office. Map.

  Open Tuesday and Saturday from 7 a.m. until 12 p.m. in the spring and summer. For the off season, they have an online version of the market and also the basket-a-month program (see below). The online version is still growing.

• River Market Farmer's Market -
  Located in the Little Rock Farmer's Market, there is no requirement to be locally grown to have a booth here. Many local farmers do display their goods at this market and those vendors normally display the "Arkansas Grown" logo. This market normally has a larger variety than the CAFM.

  Directions: Located in the River Market on 400 President Clinton Ave in downtown Little Rock, AR. The farmer's market is hosted in the pavilions closest to the river. You can't miss it. Map.

  Open every Tuesday and Saturday, May thru October from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Basket-A-Month Programs (CSA)
CSA stands for community supported agriculture. It's a way for you to get the freshest, in season produce and farmers to be supported through a subscription service. Typically, CSA members make a commitment to support the farm and assume part of the costs, risks and bounty with the farmer or grower. Members subsidize the farms and thus reap the benefits of the harvest. More on CSAs.

• CAFM Basket-A-Month Program-
  Little Rock's CSA is not the same type of CSA commonly found in other cities, but it's more of a bargain if you ask me. Unlike some CSAs, you get produce and goods from many farms, which means a big variety of foods. Also, your "stake" in the farm is not that rich. You get a basket of fresh produce every month for a $60/month subscription fee.

  You must pay for 3-months at a time. Baskets are picked up toward the end of the month. More info.

  A typical basket contains produce, cheese, milk, eggs and sometimes fresh herbs. Things like honey, salad dressing and mushrooms are thrown in, depending on what was produced. Photos of my basket unpacking.

Restaurants Serving Local Foods
There are some restaurants that strive to use local foods whenever possible. A few them are listed below. If you know of a restaurant that uses local foods for most of their menu choices, email me and let me know.

Some of these are pretty pricey, but a few of them are bargains.

• Ashley’s at the Capital Hotel
  111 W Markham St
  Little Rock
  501-370-7011
• Boulevard Bread
  River Market
  400 President Clinton Ave.
  Little Rock
  501-374-1232
• Brave New Restaurant
  2300 Cottondale Ln # 105
  Little Rock
  501-663-2677
• Capi's
  11525 Cantrell Rd Little Rock
  501-225-9600
• Ferneau
  2601 Kavanaugh Blvd
  Little Rock
  501-603-9208
• Lilly's Dim Sum, Then Some
  11121 N Rodney Parham Rd
  Little Rock
  501-716-2700
• Trio's
  8201 Cantrell Road
  Little Rock
  501-221-3330

Local Meats & Dairy
Most from grass fed animals. Some are certified-organic, but some small farms cannot afford to be certified, but still raise their animals organically.

• Petit Jean Farms (meats)
• Adama Farms (meats)
• Armstrong Beefalo Farm (beefalo)
• Waterfall Hollow Farm (beef)
• Ratchford Exotic Meats (buffalo/elk)
• Greener Pastures (beef)
• Ozark Pasture Beef (beef)
• Daley Dairy (cheeses)

Local Grains

• War Eagle Mill - Organic grains ground locally on water-powered stone buhr mill.

Local Produce and Orchards

• Williams Berry Farm (berries)
• Suzanne's Fruit Farm (fruit trees, berries)
• Mountain Home Berry Farm (berries, asparagus, radishes, lettuce, onions)
• Cox Berry Farm (apples, peaches, berries)
• Williams Berry Farm (berries)
• Drewry Farm and Market (orchards and vegetables)

Local Food Festivals

• Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival - Warren, AR - Normally in June
• Purple Hull Pea Festival - Emerson, AR - Normally in June
• Hope Watermelon Festival - Hope, AR - Normally in August
• Arkansas Apple Festival - Lincoln, AR - Normally in October
• Arkansas Rice Rice Festival - Weiner, AR - Normally in October
• Grand Prairie Rice Festival - Hazen, AR - Normally in October
• Strawberry Festival - Cabot, AR - Normally in April
• Grape Fest - Altus, AR. Normally in July.
• Spinach Fest - Alma, AR - Normally in April
• Johnson County Peach Festival - Clarksville - Normally in June