Saturday Is a Great Day to Visit Local Farmers and Fresh Markets

It is July in Georgia and on most Saturdays during the late spring, summer and early fall months; you can find local farmers markets springing up in most towns large and small.

Throughout the week, I research which markets will be open in my area and then plan on visiting 2 to 3 of the markets on Saturday morning.

Getting to the market early is your best bet to have the greatest selection of the in season produce, fruits, breads, pasta, eggs, and meats. The popular and limited quantity merchandise goes fast and if you wait too late, you may be out of luck.

As the Farm to Table concept of shopping for fresh foods catches on, many more people are visiting their local farmers markets. In turn, many local farmers markets are now offering a wider selection of fresh, in season food.

Because the food in season changes weekly, each visit to the farmers market can be a new and adventurous culinary experience. It is always best to buy what is in season. This ensures that the food is at its peak of freshness, flavor and optimum nutrition.

You can find a map of the United States that shows what produce and fruit is in season for each month at www.epicurious.com all you have to do is click on the seasonal food map navigation tab, and then click on your state to see what is in season. Then you can see recipes for those in season foods.

This week I visited the Jasper Farers Market, in my hometown of Jasper, Georgia. The market is held on Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons during the summer months. This market is getting larger each week. They offer a selection of locally grown produce, fruits, plants, coffee, ice cream, and crafts.

The market is located in Lee Newton Park, Jasper GA 30143 Hwy 53 and Stegall Street

I also visited the Alpharetta Farmers Market, in Alpharetta Georgia. This is a larger market held on Saturday mornings from 8:00 until 12:30 during the summer months until October. The market has a great selection of produce, fruits, plants, flowers, meats, cheese, baked goods, cosmetics, coffee, ice cream, crafts and much more.

The market is located off the square in Alpharetta at 29 Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 www.alpharettafarmersmarket.com  

Eating foods in season and as fresh as you can get them is a rediscovery of an age old concept. Buying only what you need for a few days can insure that the foods that you buy will be as fresh as possible and retain their flavor, color vitamins and minerals. Preparing the foods in a simple style lets the natural flavors of the foods stand out. This was grandma’s secret!

Visit your local farmers markets. There are many new markets popping up each week.

Next week I plan to visit the farmers market on the square in Canton Georgia and Buckhead at the Cathedral of St. Philips.