The Farmers' Market in Shreveport is in full swing. It's quickly become a vital part of area culture over the years.

"Its the best free party in town held on Saturday morning," says Noma Fowler-Sandlin, Farmers' Market manager.

Fowler-Sandlin says the party keeps growing and growing since locating to Festival Plaza.

"Originally, it started out 5 years ago in a pavilion with just 64 people, and in this five years we've blossomed into 55 booths."

Vendors come from around the Ark-La-Tex to sell their goods, some customers come as far away as Dallas.

"Recently, Dallas Morning News did an article on us. So, we are getting some people that took the advice to travel the three hours over here and check us out," says Fowler-Sandlin.

Great produce and good deals seem to be the common motivating factor to wake up early on a Saturday or drive a long distance to the market.

All those people spend a lot. Fowler-Sandlin says an impact study done a few years ago confirmed Farmers' Market visitors are a substantial source of revenue for shreveport.

"We actually generate in the millions of dollars for this area from the vendors and the people that come to visit the market and then maybe go out to lunch or do some other shopping."

Vendors aren't doing too bad either.

"We tried a lot of farmers' markets that just weren't succesful. This was our last try, and we were very pleased with Shreveport," says vendor Matthew Cadman.

Cadman of Shady Grove Ranch says business has been good at his booth.

He says most vendors only get around 10 percent of their sales but the market offers great advertising for his and other businesses.

"This is a very good advertising outlet for selling quarter cows and half pigs. Stuff like that."

Fowler-Sandlin says the market has grown due to its unique vendors and so many vendors want to get into the market, there's a waiting list.

"You get a lot of good vendors in, that makes the people want to come. More people come, so more vendors want to come."

The Farmers' Market is open until September 1st, every Saturday from 7 a.m. until noon.

The market is open every Tuesday from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. but only until July 17th.

Bossier City also has a Farmers' Market, which opened June 9th, at Central Assembly of God, on Highway 80 in Haughton.