Food Hunting

Here come the farmers!

It's almost that time again, yep, farmer's market. My favorite time of the year, taking the afternoon, going to the market, buying fresh, straight from the farm veggies and then cooking them for dinner. The best meals come from farmer's market fresh produce!

Here are some of my favorite markets and a little information about each:

Indianapolis City Market
222 E. Market St.
Every Wednesday, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., more than 50 farmers gather together on Market Street, between Delaware and Alabama) to offer downtowners fresh fruits and vegetables, potted plants, floral arrangements, baked goods and live music. This is one of the larger farmer’s markets in town, and it makes for a great afternoon adventure. Be sure to stop by the Hobbit’s booth to try some of her homemade oils and vinegars.

Broad Ripple Village Farmer’s Market
Indianapolis Art Center
There is a new reason to wake up Saturday mornings. From 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., local farmers gather in Broad Ripple to offer their products and farm fresh items. A bit smaller than City Market, the Village Market brings in about 25 booths, including Judy Schad’s fresh goat cheese. It may be early in the morning, but the market is next door to Einstein’s Bagels, so a hot cup of coffee is never far away.

Trader’s Point Green
9101 Moore Rd, Zionsville
This is a small market, usually with only 15 producers, but they are selectively chosen, and they gather every Friday from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. This market only allows small-scale farms that are certified organic or pledge not to use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics or hormones. These farmers offer fruits, vegetables, dairy products, pasture-raised meats and other specialty items. Trader’s Point also offers shoppers the option of grabbing some dinner while shopping, with a menu constructed of fresh, local and organic fare.

Carmel Farmer’s Market
Carmel Civic Square
Another one of the larger gatherings, every Saturday morning from 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., more than 40 vendors gather in Carmel with their produce, baked goods, meats, flowers and dairy products. There is usually live music, which makes this market one of the more popular ones, and it is always packed. The one down side – you have to leave your pets at home.

Farmer’s Market at the Barn
1201 E. 38th St. (Center for Agriculture Science & Heritage)
Although this is usually a small gathering, about 15 vendors, and it has most of the same products as the rest, this market has something unique. Saturday mornings, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., the farmers gather together with their , fruits, vegetables, plants, herbs and baked goods, a few even bring homemade crafts and soaps, but the real fun is the food demonstrations. Every week, a guest chef comes to teach shoppers new and exciting ways to prepare the produce they are taking home that afternoon.

posted by Cassandra Vires at 8:45 AM