This beautiful spring season has spoiled Dallasites with succulent, fresh produce from some of our local farmers markets. This weekend, bring your reusable shopping bags to any one of these markets to find the best in-season produce for that undeniably delicious farm-to-table flavor. Browse exciting recipes posted on market Instagram and Pinterest pages for inspiration on what to buy. My current favorite is this beet salad recipe posted by the Coppell Farmers Market.
Chestnut Square Farmers Market
8 a.m. to noon, Saturday
The summer season begins this Saturday at Chestnut Square, starting bright and early at 8 a.m. In their attempt to recreate the feeling of the old-fashioned market, the McKinney market boasts a variety of products including local meats, dairy, honey, and produce as well as freshly baked goods, flowers, and ever-necessary wine. Later in April, the market will be part of the 2016 Tour de Coop, an educational tour of urban chicken coops.
Saturday is opening day of the 2016 season. The market has certified organic, sustainably grown, and conventionally grown produce from a variety of farmers. Their website also provides an excellent month-to-month guide for fresh produce.
What’s Fresh: green beans, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, pecans, oyster mushrooms, tomatoes, Swiss chard, salmon, carrots, cow and goat milk cheese, tamales, honey, and cilantro.
The Shed houses farmers offering seasonal produce, naturally raised meats and eggs, and artisan breads. You can see a complete list of these vendors here, including Grow It Forward Farm, joining the market this weekend. Here, you can find a breakdown of what’s fresh when. This Saturday there will be a music- and dance-filled celebration for the Cesar Chavez Harvest of Hope starting at noon. The Market is a bustling environment of locals selling local. Among them, you’ll find excellent artisan cheeses from Scardello, full-bodied Italian coffee from Palmieri Café, as well as opulent eggplant creations from Silk Road-inspired Laili. (Pro Tip: Ask the ladies at Laili about their dips. They have one for every flavor palate, and I can guarantee you’ll want to take some home for later.)
What’s Fresh: goat cheese, honey, pecans, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, and corn.
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday
9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday
If you couldn’t make it to #WowzaWednesday, don’t worry. The Grapevine market is carrying on deals into the weekend for #SampleSaturday. Just show your cashier this Facebook post. While you’re there, enjoy delicious melons and strawberries from nearby family farms and browse new vendors for creamy yogurts and cheeses.
What’s Fresh: carrots, kale, lettuce, cream cheese, and cantaloupe.
Vickery Meadows Good Local Market
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday
It’s opening weekend for the Vickery Meadow neighborhood market. The season debut will kick off outside Half Price Books on Sunday. On Good Local Markets page, browse upcoming workshops for knitting, pickling, and cheese making to get more in touch with local artisan culture.
What’s Fresh: baby cabbages, beets, broccoli, cabbage, green onions, kale, rhubarb, turnips, and strawberries.
Lena Ohanian is a D Magazine intern.
