Local Flavor

Sip. Sample. Stroll. Snack. What’s not to like? The joys of whiling away a Saturday or Sunday morning at a farmer’s market are simple pleasures that have now become an entrenched pastime in American cities. Dovetailing nicely with the locavore trend, farmer’s markets bring area growers face to face with consumers. They are also great destinations for travelers as they present the most authentic tastes and treasures of their locality. Here’s a round up of some markets to look for in your travels.

If you’re on the island of Maui on a Saturday, drive the famous Hana road where both the scenery and roadside eats are delicious. Farmer’s markets, juice stands, and other local offerings are everywhere. Stop at the Wailea Farm Stand in Twin Falls for acai bowls, cold-brewed coffee, fresh sugarcane juice, just-opened coconuts, and more.

In Chicago, the Logan Street Farmer’s Market is held outdoors rain or shine on Sundays May through October. In addition to the expected local-grown produce, there’s an impressive representation of Chicago’s big-city diversity with foods from South American, Mexican, Nepalese, Chinese, German and Polish cuisines. Local musicians provide low-key acoustic entertainment—and you can get your knives sharpened, too.

Under the sheltering arms of ancient oaks in Savannah’s Forsyth Park, the vendors of the Forsyth Farmers’ Market very proudly display their wares: FOOD ONLY. Fresh-picked greens, pastured meats, local honey, small-farm dairy and cheeses, craft breads and baked goods and a wide variety of prepared foods—all from makers within a 200 mile radius of Savannah. The Saturday morning market was one of the first in the nation to develop a program that allows shoppers to use food stamps to purchase goods.

The Union Square Green Market is New York’s go-to stop for fresh produce along with meats and cheeses, artisan breads, jams, pickles, cut flowers and plants, wine, ciders, maple syrup, and more. This market is abuzz with activities: cooking demos with local star chefs, book signings, music, and kids’ programs. Held Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday year-round.

The quintessentially New England backdrop of gray-shingled cottages and white picket fences lends a rustic charm to the Martha’s Vineyard setting of the West Tisbury Farmer’s Market held at the Grange Hall Wednesday and Saturday mornings during the summer season. The shopping prospects are dazzling: locally grown and raised vegetables, meat, eggs, and cheeses, artisan breads and sweets, summer blooms, herbs and spices, sea salt, paper goods, and hand-crafted beauty products.  

When a farmer’s market grows up, it wants to be Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Arguably the granddaddy of all farmer’s markets, Pike Place is a must-see for anyone visiting the city. A vast complex of stalls, indoor arcades, eateries, flower markets, shouting fishmongers, and delicious aromas of coffee, chocolate, and spices, Pike Place has a been a bustling destination on Seattle’s waterfront since 1907. Come hungry and prepare to spend some time watching the flower vendors put together spectacular bouquets.

 

photos courtesy of: orlandoq.com, sunnymauivacations.com, facebook.com, forsythfarmersmarket.com, mvtimes.com, common.wikimedia.org.