Farmer's Market Season

It's finally farmer's market season here in Northeastern Pennsylvania and it's one of my favorite parts of the summer.  The farmers market is a place I can go even for just 30 minutes on a Saturday morning to support the local farmers who endlessly supply our town with delicious produce.  These farmers are cultivating not only their land, but a sense of community and the promise of fresh local goods to better our health.  I love knowing where everything comes from, the inexpensive prices, and the endless possibilities to create a meal from less than five ingredients.  This week we were all about finding as many green vegetables as possible and some fresh fruit.  We also came across the best cheese stand (fifty dollars on cheese is definitely a splurge, but when it is one of your main food groups, it's a necessity).  There are close to twelve farm stands that offer a variety of produce, baked goods, honey, meats, flowers, and of course, cheese.  

A glimpse of our stops is listed below with photos:

• The best blueberries I have had thus far this summer were found at Brace's Orchard.  They always have the best people working their stand and are always selling their delicious apples along with the equally delicious peaches and other fruits with such energy I always walk away wishing I had my own apple orchard and farm stand-but then I remember I have Brace's Orchard instead!  
• Dymonds Farm stand is our go-to for fresh produce, which included green beans, broccoli, zucchini, fresh tomatoes, and squash all for about thirteen dollars. My kind of deal.
• Next door is Rowlands Farm, which produces hydroponic and pesticide free lettuce and herbs.  The farmer is always excited to let you taste his different lettuce varietals and you will definitely leave with more than just one kind. 
• Our cheese was made from around the world, but locally sourced and sold by igourmet. We had a wonderful host who let us sample every type of cheese (she knew we were suckers for all kinds), and we were able to buy our cheese supply, which will maybe last us through the week.
• Our last stop was made at Dancing Hen Farm for my ingredients for tomatillo salsa (recipe to follow later this week).  Great family farm and CSA who had delicious produce, beautiful sunflowers, and not for me, but truly grass fed, free range, stress free, frozen chickens.  
• A few other great stands we didn't need anything from this weekend, but love to see present were the Beekeeper's Daughter honey made locally and SO good, Star Bakery with some of the biggest loaves of bread I've ever seen, and Fertile Grounds, our areas very own CSA brining weekly supplies of fresh produce almost right to your door and into your kitchen.

Dave taking in the stands

My beloved cheese stand

Fresh produce, beautiful flowers, and a happy me!

The Fertile Grounds truck-a great sight!

Two full bags and Piper Ruched Bones Leggins by me2roo

Butter head lettuce from Rowlands

Tomatillos and sweet onions from Dancing Hen

Blueberries and cherries from Braces

I hope anyone who is reading this takes the time to find out more information about a local farmers market near you.  Take some time to support your community and be a part of the important activity of purchasing locally grown produce to be enjoyed at your own kitchen table.  

Xo,

Laura