Since everything needs its own day, week and month -- today alone it's national rice pudding day, apple week, and catch fish, peach and brownies-at-brunch month -- this week we've all been asked to celebrate farmers markets. That's a noble cause, so we're all in. Aren't we? Yes. We are.
The United States Department of Agriculture has named this week National Farmers Market Week. The USDA reports that there are more than 8,000 farmers markets in the official government log, up from 5,000 in 2008. The USDA goes on to estimate that local farm fresh food sales grew to nearly $7 billion last year.
So if ever there were a Saturday for you to actually get up early and hit the markets, tomorrow is it. Here is a little tip sheet:
Chipotle, yes the big burrito makers, will be at the Dallas Farmers Market tomorrow passing out tokens worth $10 to the first 250 people that show up dressed like a burrito. That's just a joke! Don't wrap yourself in foil. That's such a waste of trees. Just find their tent, get a token, load up on some vegetables for your juicer and at the end of the day, they reimburse all the local farmers. It's a win-win-win.
White Rock Local Market will be at the Green Spot for the "everything" market with more than 60 local growers, purveyors, makers and one hot dog dude. They'll have a cooking demo with Chef Milton Aschner along with Magnolia Seafood. Things get going at 8 a.m.
St. Michael's Farmers Market at 8011 Douglas Avenue, just west of the Tollway, keeps an updated list of their weekly vendors here. PepperSmack, Picklelious Pickle and Pop Star Popsicles all seem worth the journey alone.
Rockwall's Farmers Market has been steadily growing for the past several years. Set up in the shadows of the historic Rockwall County Courthouse in downtown, in addition to produce, there are plenty of homemade goods like jams, breads, pies and Hot Rita's Party Starters.
The Frisco Farmers Market starts at 8 a.m. at 6048 Frisco Square Blvd. The website has a full map of the market, including a bit of information on each vendor, like D-Bar Farms in Ponder and Sadie B Jerk & BBQ Sauces.
Closer to home, the Oak Lawn United Methodist Church (3014 Oak Lawn Ave) has set up a farmers market in the parking lot every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. They'll be there every Saturday through October with locally grown fresh produce.
