Leftover tomatoes, meat and dairy from Batesville’s Mid-Week Farmers Market won’t go to waste this summer — they’ll go straight to families who need them.
Main Street Batesville has launched an initiative to expand access to fresh, locally grown food for families across Independence County through a new partnership with the Batesville Help and Hope Food Bank.
The program is funded through a grant from the Arkansas Community Foundation, with matching support from Citizens Bank and Bad Boy Mowers. Under the initiative, Main Street Batesville purchases fresh produce, meats, dairy and other locally grown products from participating farmers at the close of each Mid-Week Farmers Market. The products are delivered to the Help and Hope Food Bank every Thursday morning, where they’re distributed to families throughout the community.
Organizers say the program lets Main Street Batesville invest directly in local farmers while ensuring nutritious food reaches those who need it most.
“At Main Street Batesville, we believe healthy food isn’t a privilege — it’s a necessity,” said Maggie Tipton-Smart, executive director of Main Street Batesville. “This initiative strengthens our local agricultural community while helping ensure families have access to fresh, healthy options. That’s what community development looks like: neighbors supporting neighbors.”
The Help and Hope Food Bank serves about 800 households each month, including more than 500 children, according to Main Street Batesville.
Tipton-Smart credited the Arkansas Community Foundation, Citizens Bank, Bad Boy Mowers, the Main Street Batesville Board of Directors, local farmers and Help and Hope staff and volunteers for making the initiative possible.
The program will continue through the rest of the 2026 Farmers Market season.
Main Street Batesville is encouraging community members who want to support the effort to donate food, volunteer or make financial contributions to the Help and Hope Food Bank, which said it welcomes volunteers year-round to help with food distribution, stocking shelves and serving local families.
Main Street Batesville Executive Director Maggie Tipton-Smart
“When we support local farmers, invest in community partnerships, and care for our neighbors, everyone benefits,” Tipton-Smart said. “Because at Main Street Batesville, it’s more than a statement — it’s our mission. Healthy food should be available to all.”
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