New Local Foods Store to Launch in Missouri

ROSEANNE HARPER

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — A year-round farmers' market is how local resident Steve Salt sees his new venture, The Downtown Grocery Store, which he'll open later this month.

For nearly a quarter century, Salt, who owns a nearby 146-acre farm, has marketed his vegetables at farmers' markets in the surrounding area, including Kirksville's weekly one in the summer. He also has been running community supported agriculture (CSA) groups for the past 19 years.

Counting on his long-time ties to the community and consumers' continued interest in "buying local," Salt recently decided to bring his home-grown products downtown year-round and supplement his own offerings with other locally grown and raised items. Selections, in addition to locally grown produce, will include local molasses, honey, dairy products, baked goods, and bulk products, in a 3,500-square-foot location.

For more news about the new store, see this week's edition of SN.