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Friday Favorite: Farmers Markets

April 19th, 2013

Yesterday was the first farmers market of the season (well, if you don’t count the ones that are open all year long). I drove up to Waterville, to their farmers market.
Waterville market 1
Waterville market 2
It was small, but had it all. Spinach, arugula, lots of cheese, oxtail, liver and a few other goodies made it into my basket. There was even a local ice cream truck. Mr Chiots wasn’t along, and it was rather chilly, so I skipped the cone.
Waterville market 3
Waterville market 4
Even though I grow a lot of my own produce, I still love to hit the local farmers markets. You can find varieties that do well in your area and often find new and interesting vegetables to try as well. I’m super excited that it’s finally farmers market season again.
Waterville market 5
Waterville market 6
I’m pretty excited that I have a lot of markets to choose from, there are probably 10 different farmers markets that I can attend within a half our drive from our home.

Has your local farmers market started up again?

19 Comments to “Friday Favorite: Farmers Markets”
  1. Mich on April 19, 2013 at 5:48 am

    The farmers market in the village runs all year round but it is only held once a month.
    Luckily the local organic market garden setup have a stall under the town hall every Saturday so it’s great to be able to pick up fresh veg from there.

    Reply to Mich's comment

  2. Stone soup on April 19, 2013 at 7:53 am

    Aww you posted all my favorites! Karl makes fabulous focaccia bread covered with peppers and onions. Jean makes the best yogurt around and fabulous cheeses! Winterberry farms has an awesome tomato relsh that can’t be beat over a nice slab of pork from Tierney’s pigs! And when warmer days return, an ice cream treat is always in order! I love the local farmer’s markets!!!

    Reply to Stone soup's comment

  3. Stone soup on April 19, 2013 at 7:56 am

    P.S. In the height of the season, the market is MUCH bigger!

    Reply to Stone soup's comment

    • Susy on April 19, 2013 at 8:36 am

      I figured it was, I can’t wait to meet the blacksmith so I can have him make me a few hooks for the garden.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  4. daisy on April 19, 2013 at 8:21 am

    Wow! What an abundance of not only markets, but different varieties of products within each one. The farmer’s market here stinks, so I buy our produce and eggs directly from the farmers.
    Enjoy!

    Reply to daisy's comment

  5. misti on April 19, 2013 at 9:14 am

    The one I normally go to is open year round twice a month. There’s another one nearby that is open every Saturday and I think I’ll drop by there tomorrow. The one I go to is small but there are usually at least two egg sellers, one to two veggie stands, an olive oil guy, a coffee roaster, a salsa/tamale person and then a couple of random crafters/sellers.

    Reply to misti's comment

  6. Songbirdtiff@gmail.com on April 19, 2013 at 9:47 am

    Our farmer’s markets recently opened. We have a hugely popular market a few miles away. Even though they have a great selection, the crowds make it a bit difficult to manage. This year there are some new markets I look forward to visiting.

    Reply to Songbirdtiff@gmail.com's comment

  7. Jennifer Fisk on April 19, 2013 at 10:07 am

    The Farmer’s Markets on MDI, there are 3, don’t start until May or so. We can buy fresh greens at Smith Family Farms stand in the old milkhouse. You must try Stone Fox ice cream when the weather warms.

    Reply to Jennifer Fisk's comment

  8. amy on April 19, 2013 at 11:35 am

    Ours have not here….although I have never encountered one like yours except outside of a little college town…..sigh…..Produce offered at ours is really banal…..I have often thought of setting up one myself just to offer some variety…..but here in this part of the country(old farming community in KY) I don’t think they appreciate variety…..That probably sounds snotty but I truly think they just would turn their noses up at celeriac….daikon radish…..leeks….shallots etc…If it “aint” tomatoes, green beans and corn…..sigh. That is why I grow the size of garden I do…..because the produce I really love…. I cannot get here…..So happy for you guys and all of the exciting experiences you all are having!

    Reply to amy's comment

    • Myra on April 19, 2013 at 2:24 pm

      I hear you, Amy! And they only run from June to September! What you describe is my experience too in rural KY and rural OH. I long for a really good farmer’s market. You’re not being snotty, so rest easy. I’ve also found–and I don’t know if this is true of all markets–that everyone must charge the same agreed upon or set prices for their produce in order to be a seller. Can anyone tell me if that’s the case with larger markets? In all fairness prices have been reasonable and I’ve found the farmers very friendly and accommodating.

      Reply to Myra's comment

      • amy on April 19, 2013 at 2:44 pm

        Myra~Your name is unique…..I know that because I have a sister named Mira:) Thanks for commiserating with me!

        to amy's comment

  9. Elyse on April 19, 2013 at 11:47 am

    We have a couple farmers markets that are open year round…. but man, the difference between summer and winter!

    Reply to Elyse's comment

  10. Maybelline on April 19, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    Our markets are year round.

    Reply to Maybelline's comment

  11. Joy Giles on April 19, 2013 at 4:25 pm

    Love farmer’s markets. Here in Austin, Texas, they are open all year. Strawberries are in season now and I’m making weekly trips to buy them and make jam. Plums are around the corner.

    Reply to Joy Giles's comment

  12. Lexa on April 19, 2013 at 8:34 pm

    Our Market is open every other week during the Winter but started up its weekly run the first Saturday of April. We are blessed with a large, diverse market. Besides the “regular” flower & produce stands, we have great bakeries, two fisherman that sell fresh fish, a number of farmers who sell a variety of meats and now a local mill that sells a huge selection of locally grown grains/lentils etc. There is no excuse to not eat locally and fresh in the Willamette Valley.

    Reply to Lexa's comment

  13. Nebraska Dave on April 19, 2013 at 9:28 pm

    Wow, you guys are so lucky to have year round garden markets. Our markets here in Nebraska don’t start until May and they are a little lacking until well into June.

    Have a great market day.

    Reply to Nebraska Dave's comment

  14. laura on April 20, 2013 at 10:40 am

    We have two in my area and they both stay open all year, but on shorter hours. I haven’t been much lately, but am looking forward to starting back on my weekly visits. Your markets look like fun places to visit.
    blessings
    ~*~

    Reply to laura's comment

  15. risa on April 20, 2013 at 11:02 am

    Yes, they’re starting up here. Also our son gets a CSA box from old friends of ours and gives us whatever he doesn’t want, which prompts me to go more canning than I might otherwise. :)

    Reply to risa's comment

  16. Janine at Rustic Kitchen on April 20, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    Susy, Here in the Midwest we’re still at the indoor markets. Hope springs eternal.

    On a completely different note, I saw this card on etsy and thought of your cute camper:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/117637543/letterpress-tag-a-long-camper-diy-3d?ref=shop_home_active

    Reply to Janine at Rustic Kitchen's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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