Market Center of the Ozarks to boost local agriculture
The Walton Family Foundation, headed by the same Walton family of the Walmart empire, has announced plans for a $31 million food market to boost local agriculture in the Springdale region of northwest Arkansas. The Market Center of the Ozarks will break ground in the summer of 2022, with a 2024 completion goal.
Continue reading below
Our Featured Videos
Market Center of the Ozarks aims to support the agricultural industry throughout Arkansas and create a hub where farmers can connect with resources and the community. Additionally, the hope is to increase access to fresh, local, farm-grown foods for consumers.
Related: California sues Walmart for allegedly dumping hazardous waste
“Despite Northwest Arkansas’ growth, there are families who continue to lack adequate access to fresh food,” said Amanda Echegoyen, COO of Community Clinic. “This facility will improve access to affordable, locally grown fruits and vegetables to ensure under-resourced communities can benefit from a healthy diet.”
Beyond the regular buying and selling of local goods, the Market Center of the Ozarks will offer resources for farmers and the community. It will feature commercial kitchens for food preparation and community spaces for learning about agriculture, food, and cooking.
The development of the facility aligns with Northwest Arkansas Food Systems initiatives to improve access to local foods. “Market Center of the Ozarks is another bold step to position Northwest Arkansas as a national model for locally grown food,” said Tom Walton. “This innovation and community hub will offer farmers and entrepreneurs the support they need to get healthy food on tables across the region.”
The 45,000-square-foot project, being built by Patterhn Ives, a St. Louis-based architecture firm, will also provide space for farmers to process crops. Facilities will include washrooms, cold and dry storage, loading docks and office spaces. In addition to selling produce inside the market, there will be an opportunity to connect with community programs like school lunches and hospital food services.