MSFAC Helps Starkville Restaurants and Farmers to Partner

MSFAC Helps Starkville Restaurants and Farmers to Partner

The Mississippi Small Farm and Agribusiness Center, an entity of the Alcorn State University’s School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, works to assist local farmers to increase their presence in conventional food markets by placing their produce into mainstream grocery stores and restaurants.

In line with this mission, new marketing relationships with buyers from “Up In Farms Food Hub” in Jackson, Mississippi, as well as three upscale restaurants in Starkville, Mississippi — The Veranda, Central Station Grill and Restaurant Tyler — have been established.

According to Dr. Elizabeth Myles, the Center’s marketing specialist, “local chefs, grocers and produce companies demand for locally produced food is skyrocketing. Customers want to know where their food comes from and they want a safe and fresh quality product. With help from MSFAC, local farmers are producing shiitake mushrooms, yellow squash, zucchini squash, peppers and okra for the new markets.”

According to Myles, local farmers with Winston County Self Help Cooperative are thrilled about the new opportunities for success. In addition, local produce buyers and chefs are pleased with the quality and presentation of the products and are excited about featuring the items on their restaurant menus.

“It gives me personal and professional satisfaction when farmers can enter the marketplace with a safe, quality and consistent product. The local farmer can augment their farm income and bring economic development to their local communities. It’s a win-win situation,” said Myles.

For more information on how farmers can receive marketing assistance, contact Myles at (601) 877.3947 or [email protected]. For more information on MSFAC, contact the Center’s interim director, Dr. Gregory Reed, at (601) 877.6449 or [email protected].