The SOKY Marketplace is a unique venue that has added value to the Downtown Bowling Green, KY scene. First established in 2014, this historic location has continued to grow and now offers many things including the upstairs commercial kitchen, outdoor farmers’ market pavilion for local food producers to offer fresh seasonal produce on a weekly basis, as well as the Crop Shop that extends the farmers market during the weekdays on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons from 3:00pm until 6:00pm. In the spring of 2019, SoKY Marketplace installed “The Green” Amphitheater to allow a cozy place for families to watch an outdoor movie. The 30’ x 20’ screen which is located on the side of SKyPAC offers surround sound.

Warren County Cooperative Extension Service works closely with staff and board members of the SOKY Marketplace. The horticulture extension agent attends monthly board meetings to discuss the business operation side, culinary incubator classes, and seasonal programs and events in the community. She also provides technical assistance to the producers throughout the year by educating them on trainings in Produce Best Practices training (PBPT), food sampling, and microprocessor training and renewals. This year, she helped secure a specialty crop block grant administered through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture in the amount of $23,568.00 for the project on Expanding Local Specialty Crop Availability in Southcentral Kentucky. 

Through these cooperative efforts and collaboration with SOKY Marketplace and Cooperative Extension, the local food economy in south central Kentucky is strengthened. Producers are able to sell their farm raised products, customers gain access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and local culinary entrepreneurs have the space to grow their business.