National Farmers Market Week

August 6, 2010. 0 Comments. Categories Kitchen Tools, Ramblings. Tags buy from local farmers, buy organic produce, farmers market, grow organic produce, local market, national farmers market week, slow food USA, sustainable food.

Pin It

National Farmers Market Week

Happy National Farmers Market week! As far as I am concerned, every week should celebrate the wonderful array of locally grown natural foods that is a farmers market. Here in Boulder, Colorado we have the #4 rated farmers market in the country. However, the American Farmland Trust is running a voting contest in August to see which markets are the most popular in the US. To vote for your local market, go to this link. . .

Sometimes I go through phases where I momentarily forget that the best “grocery store” is our beautiful downtown outdoor market next to Boulder Creek. The setting is gorgeous and they even have wonderful prepared foods if you feel like having breakfast or lunch at the market. Purchasing goods is easy with “Market Bucks” that you can buy with a credit card. Yes, cash is still accepted too.

The best chefs realize that using the freshest seasonal ingredients in their recipes will yield wonderful flavors and nutrition. The recipes don’t have to be complicated. Use what your local farmers are growing and you’ll be amazed at the difference. Plus, organically and sustainably grown produce is so much better for your family’s health.

What is sometimes surprising is how affordable the food is at farmers markets. Last week I spent $60 and came home with 3 big canvas bags full of “gourmet” goods like wild mushrooms, grass-fed beef, homemade sausages, mammoth-sized squash, zucchini blossoms, locally crafted goat cheese, heirloom tomatoes and three different kinds of kale! Oh, and the peaches! The PEACHES! Just wow…… If I had another arm to carry everything I would have spent my savings on all the beautiful flowers there too!

So if you haven’t paid your local market a visit lately… make the pilgrimage to your local market this weekend. I bet you’ll find the shopping experience is so much more fun and productive then those big box grocery stores. And best of all… you’ll be supporting your neighbors and friends instead of big corporations.

To pay tribute to my local farmers and purveyors, here is a list of all of the vendors I love to visit at the beautiful outdoor market in Boulder (source Boulder Farmers Market Website):