Posted by timethief in The Farmers’ Market has become a major event right through the summer, attracting both locals and visitors to the island. Dozens of local farmers sell fresh produce and many local artists, craftspeople and artisans display their work for sale. If you want to buy local produce or crafts, you won’t have to go far to find what you are looking for on Saturday morning.
I work at our local Farmers’ Market every Saturday and I really enjoy the opportunity to socialize with friends and to buy high quality, locally grown organic produce and herbs.
Do you shop at at local Farmers’ market?
Why Shop at the Farmers’ Market?
The food is at its freshest because it doesn’t have to travel hundreds of miles to get to you. Local producers can select their produce varieties for taste, rather than their ability to travel.
You can help ensure that local farmland will stay in production. You can talk to the people who grow or make your food and they can and will respond to your needs, tastes, and questions.
More than a marketplace, it’s a social gathering where friends and families meet.
May/June
Asparagus, Artichokes, Cauliflower, Cherries, English Peas, Fava Beans, Fresh Herbs, Green Onions, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, New Potatoes, Radishes, Rhubarb, Salad Greens, Spinach, Strawberries, Turnips
July
Apricots, Beets, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Cherries, Cucumbers, Garlic, Green Beans, Green Onions, Herbs, Leeks, Lettuce, Nectarines, Peaches, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Radishes, Raspberries, Salad Greens, Spinach, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips
August Apples, Apricots, Artichokes, Beets, Blackberries, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery Corn, Cucumbers, Currants, Garlic, Herbs, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Melons, Nectarines, Plums, Potatoes, Raspberries, Salad Greens, Shallots, String Beans, Summer Squash, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes
September
Apples, Basil, Beets, Blackberries, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Chives, Cilantro, Corn, Garlic, Grapes, Hazelnuts, Kale, Kiwi, Leeks, Melons, Red & Yellow Onions, Parsnip, Pears, Fall Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Radish, Swiss - Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips, Walnuts, Winter Squash 
October: Apples, Beets, Blackberries, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Corn, Garlic, Grapes, Hazelnuts, Herbs, Kale, Leeks, Melons, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Peppers, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Radishes, Winter Squash, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips, Walnuts
I love the Farmer’s market … we don’t get it year round where I am tho. Also, it between 8 & 11 am on sunday only. I’m usually snoozing at that time.
This is wonderful how you listed the fresh products that we may expect to find in given summer months at our farmer’s markets. Great idea.
We have a small garden this year and I’m just loving its offerings. I’m supplementing with produce from local growers and am buying organic more and more. I really want to try growing artichokes in our garden next year!
If we didn’t have a huge garden, I would shop at a farmer’s market. The garden is really paying off this year. I am in the process of canning, freezing, and preserving as much produce as I can now.
Years ago my husband and I would sell our extra produce at the market. I always enjoyed it.
The nearest one now is almost 50 miles away. Several rural counties in our area have a market day on Saturdays around the court house square.
I really enjoyed your photos of the market and produce.
Beautiful photos of the farmer’s market! I love the vivid colors!
I love farmer’s markets. Ours, while very small, doesn’t just have farmers either, but we do have a family producer of cheeses. They (as a company) are too small to sell in stores or to have their own store, but they sell their hand made gourmet mozzarella at the market. A small bakery also sells their wares.
Just this week, the Mrs. came home with local peaches that were perfectly ripe, and delicious. She also brought home berries, tomatoes, and other locally grown produce that was at the peak of flavor.
@drowseymonkey
Our farmers’ market runs from the May long weekend until the Thanksgiving weekend every year and is only on Saturdays. It may not seem like much of a commitment but believe me when I say that it is. It means we must spend every Friday evening pricing and packing pottery and then I must be up bright and early @5 AM preparing to to do my vendor thing.
The best part is the access to really great, healthy food that’s flavorful. It amazes me when on the odd occasion we buy a tomato or some other vegetable or fruit from the supermarket and it has no flavor at all.
P.S. I’m reading your blog but I can’t comment.
@Lydia
I’m glad you enjoyed the post and the pictures. We gave up gardening for two several years ago in favor of working in a larger community garden and shopping at the Farmers’ Market. In our case, it was a good choice to make.
I enjoy being able to chat as I work in the large garden with others. I tend to be a perfectionist when it comes to weed removal and doing other grubby work so I’m usually found on my hands and knees talking to the soil. Others prefer to can and preserve so we barter services and I am delighted not to have to be in the kitchen.
IMO there’s nothing more therapeutic and enjoyable than growing food and husbanding livestock.
@feministscribbler
Thanks for the visit and the comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. Best wishes for happy blogging.
@Joe
Nothing beats homegrown vegetables, goods and cheeses. I particularly love dairy products and cheeses are at the top of my list. Hmmmm peaches … I’m looking forward to them. Be well and happy and thanks for visiting.
Mmmm. We have several wonderful farmer’s markets near where I live. You wouldn’t think so, in the desert, but there are actually some very fertile growing regions nearby. Lots of local chili peppers, too! We have organic coffee growers, and natural jams and jellies. Fresh, chemical-free whole grain bread, cheeses, sauces and condiments. Ahh, your post, and me talking about it, are making me hungry! Your pictures are wonderful. I wanted to scoop up an armful of flowers and bite into a roll. Bye!
Local markets rock! But even then you need to know what goes on before it hits there!
opps sent the wrong link …sorry …should have called it a night :-/
http://www.bkroads.com/nutnhoney/2008/07/unsafe-produce.html
@Rebecca
Thanks for the link above.
Authoritative sources:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/
http://foodsafety.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=16&tax_level=1
* Produce Washes Effective at Removing Pathogens http://www.ugacfs.org/hottopics/producewashes.html
* For Safety, Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks Clean Best http://www.ugacfs.org/hottopics/sinks.html
* Washing Lettuce Reduces Risk, Doesn’t Eliminate E. coli http://www.ugacfs.org/hottopics/lettuce.html
* Raw Sprouts Can Cause Illness http://www.ugacfs.org/hottopics/sprouts.html
* Packaged Greens Make Safe, Easy Salads http://www.ugacfs.org/hottopics/packagedgreens.html
* Mayonnaise Makes Meat Salads Safer http://www.ugacfs.org/hottopics/mayonnaise.html
http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/
Wow, I love going to my Saturday morning farmer’s market. I load up with all the fruits and veggies I need for the week. Always fresh, great prices, and support the local community–where’s the down side? I like your site, and great post.
peace,
Mike
livelife365
@Mike
Thanks for the visit. I hope to see you again soon but, more so, I hope to find the time to write something for this blog before the next farmers’ market this Saturday.
Stay well and be happy.
Thanks for supporting your local market, TT — for all the reasons you gave AND because it supports small local businesses, too.
Would you consider writing a little something for Indiepreneur about your experiences as a vendor AND a shopper? Any tips you can offer others starting or maintaining a small enterprise would be welcomed.
Nice article. I love farmer’s markets, but I never seem to get to them as often as I’d like.
Cheers!
We have a year-round produce stand in our little town. Biggest, juciest, tastiests fruits & veggies I’ve ever seen. Gotta love it!
This post is wonderful TT! My mother has a terrific garden and so I am fortunate enough to not have to shop for fresh vegetables often. Although I do not often get to go to our farmer’s market often, I enjoy the times that I do. The atmosphere is wonderful and the produce is fantastic. Because of this post, we may take a short field trip to ours this weekend. Thanks again for the reminder as to how wonderful the experience can be! - Nards
@Jane Q Citizen
I appreciate your invitation but I’m going to respectfully decline the writing opportunity. I’m so far behind in my studio work and housework that I’m struggling to keep my head above water.
@humorsmith
I hope you get to the farmer’s market many times this summer.
@Lana
The biggest, juiciest and freshest fruits and vegetables are at the market here but they are only available between May and Thanksgiving weekend.
@Nards
I hope you and The Boy do get to the market this year. IMHO it’s a great place to be on Saturday morning. My only regret is that I have to be a vendor. Being a shopper is so much better … lol
Hi dearest TT, Such an important post…for the very reasons you advise people to go to the FM. I grow all my produce in the summer and even freeze and bottle some….but I LOVE FMs. It is a whole atmosphere rarely found else where anymore. Everything is wall to wall stores now, commercial, junk, poor quality, etc…well, you know what it’s like. The FM is one last strong holds of the people. It remind us of our roots and a culture where we ate and lived closer to the land and each other. There is such a strong sense of community at FMs.
Your photos here are great and the way you’ve listed all the produce by season is AMAZING….this post took a LOT of work!!! LOL
You really are something else…something very special.
Hugs and love,
Robin
PS I cheered over your comment in the discussion: Can a Non-Catholic Go to Heaven. I wanted to tell you that there but I didn’t have time due to work. I just love your VOICE!!!! It is strong, clear and true.
@RainforestRobin
Without doubt our Farmers’ Market and potluck traditions, as well as, the fact that we have a healthy barter economy makes my small community a strong and connected place to be. Listing the produce was an interesting exercise that gave me a product I could share with others locally too.
Love you