When the Attala County Farmers Market officially opens on May 10-11, new vendor Victoria Duckworth will add her contribution to the variety of desserts available for purchase.
Duckworth’s offerings will include a variety of cookies including pecan rounds, pecan delight, chocolate chip, Rice Krispy treats and oatmeal-raisin.
“Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Mississippi food safety measures,” is printed on the labeling of each cookie.
The cottage referred to is Duckworth’s home located off Highway 35 north, surrounded by acreage dotted with garden spots and recently planted fruit and nut trees.
When efforts at gardening by husband, Scott, and son, Jackson, are productive, Victoria said she plans to join other vendors in offering fresh produce to farmers market customers in addition to her home-baked cookies.
While cookies are her main focus, she said she will also offer a savory item each week, with items including sausage balls.
“My cooking has a flavor influenced by my two grandmothers with knowledge from them melded to create my own style,” she said.
Duckworth describes one grandmother as a true Southern living cook, and the other as a country cook.
“I feel as if I have the best of both worlds,” she said.
The family moved to Attala County from Brandon, where she occasionally catered. Her plans are to possibly resume her catering efforts in the family’s new location.
Farmers Market coordinator Kenneth Georgia said Duckworth is welcomed as a vendor, adding her products to sweet treats offered by other regular vendors.
Several of those vendors have been showing up to sell items at the farmer’s market location at the intersection of Highway 12 and Veteran’s Memorial (in front of the Attala County Coliseum) for weeks now, despite the fact that the market has not officially opened for the season.
Georgia urges community support of the market as residents’ first choice for purchasing locally-produced foods.
