Farmers' Market Fare

[JasonFrishman]

So, I just finished packing the van for tomorrow's farmers' market.
(Come say hello, if you're in Burlington.)

Each Friday evening, I get excited, not only because I really love working the market and enjoy our customers, but also, because of many of the market products and the people who produce them.  Each one has a story and many of the vendors are talkers, believe me!

Anyway, I am curious, what farmers' market(s) do you all go to regularly?
What products do you look forward to every week?
Who do you like to talk to when you are a-marketing?

I am biased, of course, and such a large part of the market fare becomes our weekly pantry and produce that it would be hard to list them all.

So, what do YOU get at your market?
-Jason

[Morganna]

I don't go as much as I'd like because of financial concerns.  I usually go to the Montpelier market, and we always buy at least some biryanis from the Pakistani woman and samosas from the Samosaman stall (love those samosas).  I love baby turnips with a passion.  Fresh radishes... various root veggies.  I look for ideas for cooking that night or the next.  The last time I went, I was looking for starts for my container garden (which I finally have in place).  I always wish I had more money when I go there.

[Alice Levitt]

I went to the Williston Farmers' Market for the first time this Saturday after reading Suzanne's story on My Little Cupcake. Thought he market itself is quite small and a little craft-heavy for my taste, I will definitely return for those cupcakes. The "Neapolitan Dynamite" variety, half chocolate-half vanilla cake is topped with the freshest, most splendid strawberry buttercream I have ever tasted. I would be more than happy to eat a bowl of it – hold the cupcakes. I'm also very eager to try the "Hot Chocolate and Donuts" and "Maple Walnut Bacon" flavors.

[Suzanne Podhaizer]

I go to the Burlington Farmers' Market every single Saturday. When I've tried going to other markets instead, I always end up disappointed (haven't been to Montpelier, though).

One of the things I appreciate most about the B-town version is the mix of prepared food vendors, veggie growers, cheesemakers and meat producers. In the summer 95% of my food comes from my farm share and this market.

I always try to rotate my purchases so that I support as many vendors as possible. Sometimes I'll snack on a "Ruby" from FolkFoods, sometimes I get a Jericho Settlers' burger, which is a mix of beef and sausage. Last weekend I tried the smoky pulled pork from Island BBQ. Tamales are on the list, too.

You'll almost always find me leaving with a loaf of bread from Adam's Village Bakery, 3 pints of strawberries from Adam's Berry Farm, Willow Hill Cheese and Jericho Settlers' eggs. I rarely buy veggies because my CSA share provides me with plenty. Can't wait 'til next Saturday!

[Morganna]

You'd probably be a little disappointed with the Montpelier market, if only because I don't think it is nearly as large as the one in Burlington.  That being said, though, I think it's a great mix of fresh produce, prepared foods, meats, cheeses, herbs... and of course, Red Hen bread. MMMmmmm

[malpaflea]

Size doesn't matter.

As much as I love the Burlington market, I'm finding that the smaller, rural farmers' markets are quickly becoming my favorite place to shop.  There's quite a few out there for those seeking adventure, and you'll never know what you'll find there.

For instance, I made it to the Westford Farmers' Market for the first time last Friday afternoon, and was amazed at the variety (12-14 total?), quality, and even prices of the vendors.  There was a CSA there which had the nicest looking produce I've seen in years and the prices were roughly half that of the market in town.  When they ran out of something, they went to harvest more for me (!)  Organic meat?  Check.  There was someone selling amazing foccacia bread, as well as some prepared foods for dinner that night.  I can't recommend it enough, especially given that it's so close to home (just north of Essex). 

Another plug goes to the admittedly bigger Norwich market.  Don't miss the bakery product's from Umplebee's.  I've planned trips around those blueberry cheese danish...

It's just great to see such progress even in the smaller markets.  It shows the power of our 'eat local' culture.

[Suzanne Podhaizer]

Welcome to the forum Malpaflea! I appreciate your point that a smaller market can be just as rich as a larger one, and have a lovely personal touch. I certainly think that the mix of offerings is more important than the overall size...As long as there's one, high-quality place for me to get the things I need, I'm happy as a clam.

I did have a bad experience at a particular market last year that sent me running back to Burlington: I bought several baked goods from a vendor, and they turned out to be the worst things I'd tasted in a very long time. It served as a reminder that local and good aren't synonymous.

I'm curious about the name of the CSA in Westford, do you remember what it was?

[FormerChef]

I can't believe the waitsfield market has yet to be mentioned. Hands down the best Sat morning experience in the state...but shhhhhhh, it didn't come from me....

[Suzanne Podhaizer]

Yeah, I hear that the Waitsfield Market has the best yak around! And I presume that Dave Hartshorn sells his organic veggies. Who are some of the other vendors?

[malpaflea]

The CSA in Westford is called Bread and Roses.  They are located on 128 just outside the town common.  I found a website for them. 

http://breadandrosescsa.com/

On the topic of baked clunkers...I too have been burned by this.  There was a bakery that everyone was talking about, so I made a trip and overbought, as usual.  Not one thing in that bag was edible.  Now I buy one item as a test before making the plunge. 

[JasonFrishman]

The Richmond Farmers' Market must also be mentioned!
(full disclosure - we used to vend there and love Richmond)

It is a good point that someone made earlier, even the Burlington market is wonderful; don't neglect small town markets.  Richmond has incredible live music/entertainment every week, it is always always family friendly, there is a great playground and park right next to the market, and, of course, there is always On The Rise for dinner/drinks/dessert/more live music afterwards!

My newest find at the Richmond Market is a new company called Naked Baby. (http://nakedbabyvt.com/)
Kathleen and Jenn make wonderful, nutritious and locally sourced organic baby food that I would like to eat (try their Parsnipity-Blues and the biscotti teething cookies!). 

There are completely too many other great things to purchase, see and support at the Richmond market, but I definitely want to mention Bruce and Beth at Maple Wind Farm, their sausages are the best that I have had at any farmers' market. 

oh yeah, th market is on Fridays from 3:30-6. Go down bridge st and it is on your right, directly after On The Rise!
-Jason

[FormerChef]

Yeah, I hear that the Waitsfield Market has the best yak around! And I presume that Dave Hartshorn sells his organic veggies. Who are some of the other vendors?

I actually made an effort to count last weekend. 64 total booths set up. 5 separate veggie vendors, 5 separate meat vendors. 4 or so cheese vendors. Bakeries, hot food set ups. Yak-now they were giving away free samples of yak sausage and it tasted good, however, it was ssausage and you really couldn't get a genuine taste for the meat. 30 or so different craft vendors, all different, all exceptionally talented.

Great weather good time. 9-1 sat.

[FormerChef]

Size doesn't matter.

It's just great to see such progress even in the smaller markets.  It shows the power of our 'eat local' culture.

Last year while driving back from St J early one morning, I drove through Danville?<I think>, and there was a market 8 or 9 am on a school day. Maybe 10 vendors. All quality. Bought a few baked goods & cider. It was awesome such a gem when you least expected it.

[Undead Molly]

Earlier this summer my boyfriend and I stopped by the South Burlington farmers market on Flynn Ave and were disappointed. While there was some lovely live music going on, there were only 5-6 vendors and it happened that none of them were selling anything we wanted to buy.

Can anyone tell me if we just hit it on a bad day and should give it another try, or it is always like that?

Thanks!

[Alice Levitt]

I checked out South Burlington last week. It was, sad, sad, sad. Only three or four booths with veggies, then August First and a lady selling Vietnamese egg rolls (which were flavorless, by the way.) If you want August First bread go to the store. Otherwise, wait for another market.