After a winter of shopping produce aisles and arm wrestling for space at the meat counter, the farmers market offers what Denverites love most: a reason to be outdoors – among fresh fruit, flowers and farm-fresh vegetables.
Outdoor markets have always been more than a shopping destination. They’re equal parts social outing and shopping expedition. OK, and part dog walk.
The presence of farmers markets has expanded in recent years, but some stands are staffed by nonfarmers, so if you feel strongly about the matter, it’s perfectly fine to ask whether what you buy is grown and harvested by local farmers and how much of it is sold by enterprising retailers eager to cash in on the “fresh market” trend.
The 29-year-old Metro Denver Farmers Market, a group of small farmers who organized to sell directly to consumers, runs small markets scattered throughout the metropolitan area, from Lakewood and Littleton to Tamarac Square and Southwest Plaza. During the peak season, locations can have as many as 30 vendors. All fruit and produce come from Colorado farmers, who live on and work their own farms. For more information about the group, go to denverfarmers market.com. or call 303-887-3276.
Smaller, neighborhood outdoor markets are popping up in areas where once there was only a supermarket – if that – as vendors respond to Coloradans’ desire for fresh foods.
And if you’re at a loss for a family activity, make market shopping a family outing. Some locations even offer entertainment and meals: Old South Pearl Street Farmers Market in the 1500 block of South Pearl (between East Florida and East Iowa Avenues) kicks off its fifth season June 11 with live music scheduled every week. South Pearl Street restaurants will offer breakfast and lunch.
Boulder’s market, at 1900 13th St., opened in April and runs through November. In addition to munchies ranging from ice cream cones to Thai food, it also features activities from music for everyone to entertainment for children.
It helps to know in advance what’s in season and what’s not ready yet, so if you hit your favorite fruit stand and local peaches aren’t available, it’s because Palisade doesn’t produce them until late summer. Just find a stand you love and trust, and ask when your favorite fruit or vegetable will be available. The agriculture department’s website also posts a calendar of what’s in when, at ag.state.co.us/mkt/mkt.html, click on “Colorado Proud” and look for the “Crop Calendar” link.
Shopping savvy
In season now: The last of the lettuce, asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries.
Look for cherries in mid-June.
Ask vendors about specific handling instructions. If it’s important to keep a product refrigerated, make that purchase last and go straight home; don’t leave food in the car while you run other errands. Bacteria love warm temperatures.
Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
Veggies like it cool. Most fruits and vegetables keep best in the fridge – between 32 and 40 degrees. Pears need to ripen at 65 to 70, though.
Bring a cooler to transport perishable items, especially dairy or prepared foods.
Apples dislike carrots. Not all fresh produce stores well together – apples, tomatoes and melons emit ethylene gas and cause carrots to give off a bitter taste.
Learn more: If you’re a neophyte at farmers market shopping, the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension service, which provided the information above, has helpful facts for safe transport and storing. Go to www.ext.colostate.edu and click on the tab for nutrition resources.
