Celebration Farmers Market: I have good news and bad news from Celebration this week. There were some inquiries as to whether Holleman Farms made it last week at all, or would ever make it with the Red Wattle pork. The good news is that they did make it out with the pork last week and it was extremely popular, so it will return. The bad news is that if you loved it, and want more, you’ll have to wait. They’ve left town on vacation and won’t be at the market at all. They’ll be back next weekend with the Red Wattle pork, and all the farm fresh chicken and eggs that they usually have. Do not despair. Jerry from Joy Farms will have all his usual produce and herbs, including pepinex seedless cucumbers, fresh basil, tomatoes, fireball peppers, and squash. Mozzarella Company will have fresh and pecan smoked mozzarella cheese to soothe your porkless soul.
4515 W. Lovers Ln.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Frisco Farmers Market: Mary B Cakes will be out with her fantastically moist loaf breads including my beloved bread pudding loaf – available for a limited time. After having tried nearly all of them (and then running five miles to stave off the guilt), I came to realize that what I like about her loaf breads is that with the exception of the chocolate flavor, they’re not too sweet to have for breakfast. Even the Madagascar vanilla makes a nice compliment to a bowl of fresh fruit which can be easily obtained from D-Bar farms. Strawberries are still in and melons are plentiful enough to cause concern that one might roll over on their table and squash squash. Buy a melon and save a squash, or just buy squash, slice them, and toss them into a skillet with some butter over medium heat until the middles are translucent and the edges are slightly brown. Dust lightly with sea salt and enjoy as a side item with dinner. Not only is that the easiest side item you’ll ever make, it’s a much better fate for a squash.
6048 Frisco Square Blvd.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Jump if you like markets.
Grand Prairie Farmers Market will hold a Tacos and Tejano festival featuring taco food trucks, art booths, live Tejano music, and piñatas for sale. Even if you’re not planning a party, I’ve learned piñatas are good to have around. You just never know when a piñata-worthy occasion will arise. You could also hang one near your desk (a safe swinging distance away from your monitor) at work for those stressful days when you feel like you’d like to hit something with a pole. The Grand Prairie market is sure to have a great selection. Bring the kiddos along to have their faces painted and burn off some of that energy in the bounce house. All the usual great local produce vendors and artisan food purveyors will be there. If you haven’t tried the desert chips and salsas from Dread Head Chef yet, there’s no better time to do than Tacos and Tejano day.
120 W. Main St.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Coppell Farmers Market: Have I mentioned lately that I love pickles? I’m something of a fanatic. I’ve been eating them hourly since I discovered homemade pickles from Substance Farms, Jill Holden’s 12 acre farm and nursery in Paradise, Texas. As I examine the jar of cucumber wedges in vinegar with whole cloves of garlic, minced red pepper, and sprigs of fresh dill with scrutiny, Jill says “I just made those about a week ago. They’ll be really spicy if you put them in the cabinet and let them sit for another week.” Pickles with care instructions… Sold. They were crunchy and had just enough spice to give them a good flavor without excessive heat.
She’s got farm fresh butters in honey, herb and plain flavors, and an assortment of homemade jams and jellies (including a red wine flavor – yum), organic vegetables, and potted peppers and berries. As I admire the diversity of her products, I inquire as to whether she makes all this herself from things she grows. “Yep.” she replies sheepishly. “Except the milk for the butter. It comes from my neighbors cows, but I blend the flavor in.” No one would hold that against you, Jill. She and her exceptional variety of artisan products and produce can be found here every Saturday.
Also look for Cary’s Best organic blueberries. Hirum Farms sent a scout to Florida for Key Limes and will have Key Lime butter that will be great on some grilled Magnolia Seafood shrimp. Linn Madsen of Savoy Sorbet has been busy mixing up some Moscow Mule sorbet flavored with lime, ginger and potato vodka.
793 S. Coppell Rd.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Dallas Farmers Market: If you’re planning a trip out to the Dallas Farmers Market soon, bring an apron and a chef’s hat. The AIWF cooking class sessions launch this Saturday with Chef Jeff Morchetti of Jasper’s Plano location teaching you to grill like a pro, and not just any pro, Kent Rathburn. You can still register for this class or any or of the others in the series. Registration is also now open for the July 25th class on basic canning and pickling. The class will focus on types of pickling, the basics of sterilization and preservation with water bath canning.
1010 S. Pearl Expressway
Daily, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Fairview Farms Marketplace has just received a new stock of beautiful potted plants. Choice produce this week includes cherries, strawberries, blackberries, watermelons, tomatoes and tons and tons of summer squash.
3312 N. Central Expressway
Tuesday – Sunday , 8:00 a.m. – 9:00p.m.
Grapevine Farmers Market: Blue River Farms will make the trip down from the Red River with their famous heirloom tomatoes, squash and melons. Pure Country Products will have artisan cheese in unflavored and fancy pants varieties flavored with black pepper, red pepper, caraway seeds, and garlic .
325 S. Main Street
Thursday – Saturday, 8:00 am – 4:00 p.m.
White Rock Local Market is back this Saturday, and since it’s the second Saturday of the month, it’s “everything market” time. Natural produce and artisan food vendors will be joined by local artists, photographers, woodworkers and makers of jewelry, clothing, and candles. If need outdoor furniture, O’Kelley Woodworks will have some stained cedar Adirondack chairs. If the warm Texas weather has you housing some unwelcome guests, pick up some organic pesticide from Papa Richter’s Roach Ridder. On the market for a vintage bicycle? White Rock has you covered. There’s really no rhyme or reason to the variety of wares sold at the everything markets except that it’s all local and sustainable. As usual, JuHa Ranch will have natural meats and free range eggs, Kitchen Pride Mushrooms will have oyster, shitake and portabella mushrooms, and Lucido’s will be there with their variety of flavored and colorful homemade pastas. New this week: Pop Star handcrafted popcicles to help you cool off while you shop. Freshly roasted coffee will be available from Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters.
702 N. Buckner Blvd.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Four Seasons Market: Gilbert-Pruett Family Farm and La Esperanza Farm will keep fresh local produce coming this week. Gilbert-Pruett has produce exclusively while La Esperanza has a small selection of potted herbs and peppers as well. Get peppers for now, and grow your own later for later. If your interest in natural products goes beyond the edible ones, Four Seasons Market is a great place to get soap and bath products this weekend. Stardust Soaps, Black Label Spa and Bath, and Body Harmony will all be there so you can lather, rinse, repeat with all-natural suds.
677 W. Campbell Rd.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
McKinney Farmers Market at Chestnut Square: I had a brief scare this morning when I went to the Dominion Farms website to see them advertise grass fed beef, and pastured pork and lamb and basset hound. As it turns out, these ranchers breed hunting dogs too. They’ll be at Chestnut Square this weekend with beef, pork, and lamb, and that’s all. Texas Olive Ranch will have their great flavored olive oils and vinegars. I’ve said it before but some things are worth saying twice: try the Rattle Snake flavor. Crushed red pepper and chipotle in Arbequina olive oil is a great start to a vinaigrette dressing for a taco salad.
315 S. Chestnut St.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
McKinney Farmers Market at Adriatica: Rehoboth Ranch will have grass fed beef and lamb, pastured pork and poultry, free range eggs, and maybe even goat’s milk. St. Lucia Bread Company bakes a great line of sandwich and spiced breads right here in Dallas. Catch them here tonight if you’ve found yourself with the infamous midweek PBJ dilemma where the bread runs out leaving you with peanut butter, jelly, a spoon, and ill-mannered temptation to go for it breadless (I would never!).
Note: After speaking with Robert Hutchins of Rehoboth Ranch, I’ve learned that the legislation moving through the Texas House of Representatives during the most recent session that would have made it legal to sell raw goat’s milk at farmers markets did not pass. So, no goat’s milk.
6851 Virginia Parkway
Thursday, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00p.m.
Downtown Arlington Farmers Market: Not much changes around here from week to week. Burgundy Pasture beef, and Texas Olive Ranch will be here again this week. Carter Farms is still providing large orders (that must be placed by Thursday) of produce for juicers.
215 Front Street
Friday and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Rockwall Farmers Market: The lovely Macey Hatfield will serenade you as you sift through the produce. The Bee Charmer will take advantage of the opportunity to shed his suit and come out to the market Saturday. Even if you don’t need honey, these are great people to know. They remove bee hives that have invaded homes, garages, or grills and put the bees to work doing what we want them to do: making local honey. Gilbert Pruett Family Farm will be here as well with great local produce.
325 South Goliad
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cowtown Farmers Market: B&G Gardens will have, tomatoes, squash, melons, onion and fresh herbs. If you like gouda and trappist style cheeses, try some from Eagle Mountain Farmhouse Cheese. All their cheese is made in Granbury, Texas.
3821 Southwest Blvd.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
St. Michael’s Farmers Market: This week, pick up some raw goat’s milk from Hidden Valley Dairy in Argyle, Texas. They’ll also have eggs and goat’s milk soap. For a market that is only in its third week of operation, St. Micheal’s had an impressive list of over thirty different vendors. Come by for lunch. Rusty Taco will be there serving ready-to-eat tacos.
8011 Douglas
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
