The Local Farmer takes root in downtown

By Amanda Rogers

Mansfield Record

Residents are digging The Local Farmer, Mansfield’s new downtown grocery market.

“The tomatoes and okra, we cannot keep up with them,” said Kaitlyn Cole, who runs the store with her significant other PJ Zile and friends Caleb and Kayla Back. “On Saturdays, we have over 200 people. Everybody in Mansfield is about shopping local.”

The store opened at 206 N. Main St. on Aug. 5, and has quickly become a favorite.

“I think they are enjoying having fresh produce and knowing where it comes from,” said Kayla Back.

And it’s not just the fresh veggies.

“The pickled okra flies off the shelves,” Cole said. “We can maybe 30 on Friday and it will be gone over the weekend.”

The owners shop local, too, raising much of the produce themselves and sourcing other local farmers.

“Whatever is not available in Texas, we will source out of state,” Cole said. “Ninety percent is from Texas. We run into problems when the seasons end.”

The owners are looking to add fresh beef, chicken and dairy, Kayla Back said, with the chickens coming from their Mansfield farm.

The store has also added Saturday night events at the Downtown Market from 6-9 p.m. with vendors selling popcorn and tamales, plus live music an activities for kids.

The Local Farmer is open 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday; 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday.

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