The LaRue County Farmers’ Market has grown exponentially since 2022.  The number of market vendors increased by 100% with 16 registered vendors selling in 2024. According to the latest Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment, the overall food insecurity rate in LaRue County is 12.9% and even higher among children.  In addition, when asked to what extent practical education/assistance in ensuring individuals and families have access to affordable nutritious food needed in LaRue County, survey participants rated this a 4.2 out of 5 which translates to a "very high need."  Therefore, LaRue County Cooperative Extension Service continues to be committed to provide the LaRue County community with access to locally grown food by prioritizing the Farmers’ Market and serving as the market managers.  

The Extension Service also serves as the distributing agency for the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.  In addition, the LaRue County Extension Agents for Family & Consumer Science and Agriculture & Natural Resources serve as coordinators of all functions of the farmers’ market including promotion and marketing of the market, working with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and obtaining the most up to date certifications and trainings, working with local farmers to provide fresh, locally grown produce and products, providing low-income seniors with access to the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program vouchers, partnering with the local health department and training our market vendors to accept WIC Farmers' Market vouchers as well as education to market shoppers on seasonal, fresh fruits/vegetables, nutritious recipes and samples, food demonstrations and new in 2024, POP Club for youth ages 17 and under.

During the peak season of the LaRue County Farmers’ Market, attendance averages around 200 weekly with some weeks having multiple market opportunities.  POP Club averaged 80 youth at each session.  Many youth returned to subsequent POP Club sessions and spent a collective average of $300 in POP Bucks with the market vendors at each session.   This in turn increased market vendors profitability and encouraged them to offer items specially marketed towards youth.  In recent years, there has been a concentrated effort placed on the use of social media with over 2.7 thousand followers.  Beginning in 2024, farmer spotlights were shared each week highlighting one of our market vendors which some generated over 15,000 views.

While the LaRue County Farmers’ Market is open to anyone, special marketing strategies have been employed to attract groups of the population for various purposes.  With our market being one that participates in the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, many market participants are of this demographic therefore, our vendors guarantee a variety of products available each week so that the seniors can use their vouchers on eligible products including locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs.

In 2024, POP Club (Power of Produce) was introduced as a way to also make local fresh fruits and vegetables accessible to the county's youth.  POP Club has returned for 2025 and is a program that provides a fun opportunity for children under 17 to engage in the local food system through conversations directly with farmers, educational activities and exposure to local fruits and vegetables through sample tastings and food demonstrations.   POP Club participants were rewarded with POP Bucks to spend at the market, allowing them to make their own shopping decisions.  POP Bucks were made possible through a local sponsorship donation of $1000 by Farm Credit Mid-America in 2024 and by LaRue County Farm Bureau in 2025 with $1500 in sponsorships.

Each year, the LaRue County Farmers’ Market applies to be a Kentucky Proud market through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.   We feel that this distinction is important for patrons of our market to ensure that they are receiving seasonal, high quality products that are locally grown.  Since the development of POP Club, the LaRue County Farmers Market has seen an increase in market shoppers as well as the number of vendors selling at the market.  Since 2022, the number of farmers market vendors have increased by 100% with 16 registered vendors now selling in 2024-2025.  With a larger variety of vendors, this gives our community more of a reason to come to the Farmers Market with the goal of increasing the affordability and accessibility of fruits and vegetables among LaRue County residents.

The LaRue County Extension Service works together to provide the LaRue County Farmers’ Market and prides itself on the affordability and accessibility of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Our community has come to expect the opportunity to have access to locally grown produce and it has become our passion to work hard in providing this opportunity for our community.