Support your local community.
The markets are full of farmers, craftsmen, artisans and more. Purchasing from them keeps our dollars in our community. That's a very good thing!
Your food is fresh.
The vendors at the Farmer's Market are usually from within 70 miles of the market. They usually pick their goods the day before, sometimes the morning of the market.
It helps the environment.
As in point 2, the food is local. It hasn't been picked and then shipped across the land or the ocean. This reduces the pollutants being released getting our fruits and veggies to us.
Great ingredients!
Like many of you, I shop at the market for ingredients, even though I may grab a coffee or other treat while I am there. Here's a look at what $25 got me and what I turned the ingredients into.
- Nectarines grilled up and then placed on top of a salad of red onions, arugula and feta. They're always great fresh as a snack, too.
- Red potatoes, quartered, lightly coated in olive oil and tossed with minced garlic, salt and pepper, then baked in a 400 degree oven for about 40 minutes. They should have a crispy golden brown outside and tender inside. Here's another recipe that's similar.
- Green beans were abundant and they made a great side dish when steamed and were part of a salad one day and another day part of a 3 bean salad. YUM!
- Zucchini was grilled for a side dish, used in a grilled veggie salad another day, and scooped out and used to hold leftovers. It became a zucchini boat.
- A loaf of bread that my husband used for sandwiches and snacking for quite a few days.
- Fresh beets! If you've never had beets, you really have to give them a try. I love mine roasted and used in salads. Don't throw away the greens, you can eat those, too!
- 2 tomatoes. These topped my salads, my sandwiches and even my breakfast toast along with diced red onions and sliced avocado.
You can find out more about Farmers Market Week here. Also, most farmers markets run through fall and are a great place to find pumpkins, mums, gourds and all your fall produce.
Not sure what to expect at the market? Here's a guide to what's in season.
Not sure what to expect at the market? Here's a guide to what's in season.
