Does anyone here support local Farmers Markets?

[jbig31]

The wife and I love going local farmers markets and supporting the local economy and getting high quality fresh produce. We live in Michigan and in the last couple years it seems that the number of local markets and roadside stands have increased and I think its great. To me it kind of brings us back to simpler days before the big box supermega grocery stores when you actually interacted face to face with people and built relationships with them over time.

[mikejet]

There are 3 that I goto.

1. Farmer's Market Fairfax and 3rd in Los Angeles

-Great atmosphere and food. Love the area. Hate the Grove next to it.

2. Farmer's Market 777 Figueroa in Downtown every Thursday

-Good food and veggies. Fresh kettle corn and pupusas.

3. West Covina Farmers Market across the street from Westfield Mall

-Good veggie selection. Not much food though.

[Jellybeans]

Of Course, you gotta support them!

[jbig31]

what are some of the strangest/unique things you've seen at a farmers market? I mean, ours has all the local veggies and fruits in season; local nurserys sell shrubs/trees etc; cheesemakers and bakeries set up booths as well. Sometimes food vendors will set up shop too-there's one Hispanic family that comes every week and makes the best tamales....

[Jellybeans]

I also often see some homemade soaps bars.

[Fors*]

I live in Lancaster, PA....and the Amish provide so many different kinds of dairy products and meats its amazing. I work right next to one here in he city. It's funny to see them pull in with the horse and buggies, but that's what they do, and all of the food is soo rich and heavy, but extremely good. There are some vendors who will even barter with you if you have something they may want or need.

[Porkchop Express]

I go to eastern market in Detroit with my father in law whenever I'm able to. He goes almost every weekend in the Summer.

[jbig31]

Originally Posted by Dark Elf

I also often see some homemade soaps bars.

yeah I've seen those too-but to me they look a little rough on the body-like they drop them in the sand. Like soaping up with sandpaper.

[Hammie]

The one we usually go is not open this year. Well, a local farmer.

I haven't even seen anyone outside to stop and ask what happened. They always had really good business in years past. We haven't had the chance to look for another one anywhere else.

My garden is looking good this year, though. Tomatoes already have flowered, jalapenos and habaneros are looking healthy, too. Basil died. I need to look into getting another plant. And my son's carrots have sprouted.

[Teabaggins]

yes I try to.

my mother in law started an herb garden for us this year and it's doing well so far: chives, basil, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, parsley, oregano, and mint.

I mainly use the mint for cocktails and it seems to be disappearing as quickly as it grows

I need to add cilantro as well

[Porkchop Express]

Originally Posted by Teabaggins

yes I try to.

my mother in law started an herb garden for us this year and it's doing well so far: chives, basil, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, parsley, oregano, and mint.

I mainly use the mint for cocktails and it seems to be disappearing as quickly as it grows

I need to add cilantro as well

Nice. My wife and I grow herbs as well. We also tend to use the mint only for cocktails. I'm shocked how much I enjoy mint julebs.

[Teabaggins]

mint is great in mango salsas as well. the other thread reminded me of this.

here's an easy great cocktail for entertaining:

gently "muddle" a handful of mint leaves and some sugar( 1.5-2 tblspn or so, I eye ball everything) in the base of a pitcher using the back of a long wooden spoon. then add a spirit(typically a clean tasting vodka), stir, then add a juice cocktail(pre mixed no sugar added pomegranate and cranberry is readily available and very refreshing).

I don't add ice to the pitcher as it waters it down.

add ice to the glasses before pouring cocktail over it and serving.

voila. beautiful, easy, and tasty. just buy extra as people will be drinking it up and you will have to mix more

[bongzilla]

I tend to go on the weekends, Dallas has a large one, indoors and outdoors,
can find most anything including meats that are hard to find like alligator,
and squirrel.

[Beta Man]

Since it's still on the clipboard from your salsa thread

http://www.westsidemarket.org/

[jbig31]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Since it's still on the clipboard from your salsa thread

http://www.westsidemarket.org/

That place looks awesome! I'm on vacation here in a couple weeks and I google directions and its under 5 hrs away-the wife and I have never been to Cleveland so maybe a little weekend away is in the future! If we decide to pickup any produce or food we can just put in a cooler for the ride home.
Thanks fot the info.

[Anthony P]

I don't tend to go to the bigger ones on the island, but there is a small local one not to far from here and I go several times in the summer. I like going there for lunch, there is a butcher that has sausages and he grills some on the spot, I get the spiciest one with mustard and his home made sauerkraut, stop by the cheese booth and get a bag of garlic and herbs cheese curds and eat while deciding what to get at the other booths.

[NJ_RAMS_FAN]

Originally Posted by mikejet

There are 3 that I goto.

1. Farmer's Market Fairfax and 3rd in Los Angeles

-Great atmosphere and food. Love the area. Hate the Grove next to it.

2. Farmer's Market 777 Figueroa in Downtown every Thursday

-Good food and veggies. Fresh kettle corn and pupusas.

3. West Covina Farmers Market across the street from Westfield Mall

-Good veggie selection. Not much food though.

hmm.. I like #2.. Pupusas!!

[cartman781]

Not as much as I would like to.

[Seablazer]

Here on Long Island, the best Farmer's Markets are to the far west, ie; New York City, Brooklyn, etc....

But out on the East End where I live, we have multiple independent farms to shop from. And these aren't your regular farm stands, these are housed in large sheds (shed is an understatement)... For comparison, they all average about the size of 10-12 7-Elevens.....

So, we have the jumbo farms stands, we have the East End wineries (if you love wine, there is nothing better than spending a Saturday doing a "tasting" crawl (always be sure to have a Designated Driver).... We also have what I like to call Seafood Farmer's Markets...

Basically, if you head down to one of the main fishing areas (Port Jefferson, Captree, Freeport, Montauk, or Moriches/Shirley/Mastic), you can get excellent quality and super fresh fish, shellfish, etc., for rock bottom prices...

So, to shorten my answer, we (entire family) support our local farmers, wine producers, and fishermen wholeheartedly.

[Moefiz]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

I live in Lancaster, PA....and the Amish provide so many different kinds of dairy products and meats its amazing. I work right next to one here in he city. It's funny to see them pull in with the horse and buggies, but that's what they do, and all of the food is soo rich and heavy, but extremely good. There are some vendors who will even barter with you if you have something they may want or need.

Coming from NYC to PA...that's one thing that I can't get used to the horse and buggy, just amazing that in this day and age they stick to there beliefs.

Now, back on topic...there is a few that we go to to get the fresh fruits and vegetable thats in season and they usually have a great bakery section..