With summer finally here, Farmers Market season is in full swing.
Do you ever wonder what produce is truly “in-season”?
With supermarkets getting fruits and veggies from around the world … it’s hard to know these days.
I asked Allison Cook, Executive Director of the Memphis Farmers Market downtown, to help clarify.
“Our mission at the Memphis Farmers Market is to offer a producer-only market. So you know when you are downtown shopping with us that the people you are meeting are the actual farmers growing your food locally.”
Knowing that a market only has local farmers does take the guess work out of shopping for in-season produce.
So what vegetables can we expect to find during the month of June?
“This is an exciting time at the market because we have so many vegetables that are coming in season. You will see all kinds of peppers, and cucumbers, and even the very beginnings of tomatoes.”
And if you have a sweet tooth like me, we can’t forget the fruits grown locally.
“I’m really excited to start seeing blueberries come into season as well as cantaloupe. It will be a little bit longer on the watermelons … but the blueberries and cantaloupes can definitely tide you over.”
If you want to plan ahead and know what’s in-season when, Allison recommends asking a farmer at the market … or checking on-line.
“Our website – MemphisFarmersMarket.org – has a link to a really great seasonality calendar provided by Pick Tennessee. It’s a great way to check and see what’s truly in season so you know you are buying the best.”
This is Jennifer Chandler with The Weekly Dish. Eat Local!
For more information about the Memphis Farmers Market, visit www.memphisfarmersmarket.org.
