We made another trip to the Flint Farmers Market. A few weeks ago we weren’t able to make it and we stopped by the one in Grand Blanc. It was more of an arts and crafts fair and I was extremely disappointed. It was outside on a street that had been blocked off. It was just about the length of that block. Not big at all. Then, the Flint one was closed so they could move to their building. Husband and I went the first day they were in and it was a giant cluster and it wasn’t even the technical grand opening party. We could barely get through and it was so frustrating.
I spent some time outside listening to the live music. At one point I teared up because the girl signing reminded me of some friends back in Oklahoma that I had recently gotten back in contact with. It became very emotional and with the large crowd I was just ready to go home. We waited a little bit for the grand opening party and newness to ware off before going back. So we headed out last Thursday morning hoping the rain wasn’t going to stop the outside vendors.
The new building is just amazing. You walk in and there are these tiny eateries, gift shops, and tons and tons of various foods. All these mom and pop businesses right beside all this Made in Michigan goodness. I love absorbing the sites, the smells and the people.
Since it was not as busy, we went to visit our favorite little juice bar, Willows Garden. This time I tried something a little different, Green Lemonade. I believe it was Kale, Spinach, Lemon and Pineapple. It was tart and sour. It reminded me of a Sour Patch candy. I LOVED it. I am seriously adding a juicer to my list of wants. Yeah, I watched Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. I don’t know how anyone can survive just on drinking. I would rather eat all my fruits and vegetables. I would have no problem going vegan honestly. I also think if I were in the right environment I would actually adopt a raw lifestyle. But, that’s a discussion for another time.
I was so overwhelmed with sights and smells that I just had no idea where to start. First I knew I wanted to use my Double Up Bucks on the new Michigan grown products that had finally started to show up on the tables. We purchased some cauliflower, 2 different types of lettuce, kale, green onions, cucumbers, celery and squash.
We used our food benefits (read here if you are curious as to why we use these) to purchase some farm fresh eggs (brown and double yolk) and green beans. I also made a special purchase from the farmer we get our eggs from, some turkey sticks and cheese.
Some other things I did not photograph was some bacon we are trying from another farmer because the one we get our eggs from was out. We also purchased some ground buffalo, a ham hock for broth and green beans, and some brisket.
The best part was we had roamed around for so long that the cooking demo was starting soon so we had decided to stick around and watch. We learned how to make brie, bacon and apple quesadillas. We even got to sample them. YUM!
Of course afterwards we made a new friend as mryum decided to chat with the chef for a good 45 minutes. He was really nice though and I was able to give out my business card to him and a few others who were hanging around for the demonstration. If going to the farmers market gives me new readers, then its a good thing!
Do you visit your local farmers market? Let me hear about your experiences there.
Terry says
July 19, 2014 at 11:12 amI love visiting our local farmers market. The fresh vegetables just taste so much better than what I find in the grocery stores. I try to buy organic if at all possible.
Chrysa duran says
July 19, 2014 at 11:55 amLoved reading about your Farmers Market adventure! This Double Up Bucks program looks great. Thanks for sharing and you have proven that even when money is super tight we can still eat healthy!
chrystal says
July 21, 2014 at 4:29 pmWe won’t be getting assistance for too much longer when hubs has paychecks starting to come in. I am glad it was there for us when we needed it.
aimee fauci says
July 19, 2014 at 1:58 pmWe have visited Farmer’s Markets. I love to pick up fresh okra. It’s the best and sometimes they have awesome finds.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
July 19, 2014 at 4:53 pmYour farmer’s market is way better than ours. Ours is literally just a small building with veggies. I think I need to pack up and move 😉
Shop with Me Mama (Kim) says
July 19, 2014 at 8:45 pmI am not sure if we do or not. But, we do have a fruit and veggie stand near our home that we frequent alllll the time during the summer. I LOVE fresh fruit and veggies. Nothing like ’em!
Dawn says
July 19, 2014 at 9:00 pmI wish I had something like this close by. I love farmer’s markets. The produce is so much more fresh and delicious. I’d love to take part in the Demo Kitchen. It sounds like a blast.
Jaime says
July 19, 2014 at 10:00 pmWe have a farmer’s market that is open year-round (it’s awesome) and also local tailgate markets. I love visiting our tailgate market. I went in search of eggs this morning and they had JUST sold out – so disappointing for me. I don’t need a ton of vegetables, though, because my garden is finally producing. (And I stocked up on meat two weeks ago.) I love buying local!
chrystal says
July 21, 2014 at 4:26 pmThis city one I go to is open year round.
Debbie L. says
July 19, 2014 at 10:04 pmI visit Farmer’s Markets each week. Great produce and very unique art. Great way to spend a morning or afternoon.
Janeane Davis says
July 19, 2014 at 11:52 pmThere is something really great about going to the farmer’s market. I like checking out all the fresh stuff and finding something new.
melinda says
July 20, 2014 at 12:18 pmi don’t visit our farmers market enough. I know there are great things there
Mickey says
July 20, 2014 at 6:20 pmI live in a small town, so our farmers’ market has lots of fruit, some veggies and honey. We do still like to go from time to time.
chrystal says
July 21, 2014 at 4:25 pmI live in a small town too. We have small markets here and in the surrounding towns. I am right on town lines. But we travel to the big city to go to this larger one.
Tami says
July 20, 2014 at 8:51 pmI love going to the Farmer’s Market here in Trinidad. The think I look forward to most is having a delicious, cold coconut. It is the first thing I do when I get there.
fancygrlnancy (Nancy Partin) says
July 20, 2014 at 9:23 pmI have not really shopped at a farmers market. I have seen them and looked some, but not shopped.
Rosey says
July 20, 2014 at 10:37 pmThat’s a fun flavor combo for the quesadillas. It sounds like it was smart to wait to go back for a short bit. 🙂
Pam says
July 20, 2014 at 10:58 pmI wish we had better Farmer’s Markets in my area. I would love to have one that has cooking Demos. My friend is always talking about her wonderful Farmer’s Market in the midwest. Looks like you had a fabulous time.
chrystal says
July 21, 2014 at 4:24 pmIt is quite a bit of fun. I just wish it was a little closer to us.
Maria Oller says
July 21, 2014 at 4:24 amNot the actual farmers markets but we have a organic store 2 blocks away we buy almost everything there
Shannon Gosney says
July 21, 2014 at 8:18 pmWe used to shop at our Farmer’s Market all the time. Loved all the fresh produce we found!
Toni says
July 22, 2014 at 4:50 amI need to visit our farmers market. I have yet to go this year.
chrystal says
July 22, 2014 at 10:25 amThis large one is about 20min away. I have a few smaller ones closer, but they are just food. No fun stuff or events.
Natasha Rodriguez Mom 2 5321 says
August 7, 2014 at 4:23 pmWhat fun! I love farmer’s markets and your sounds like it has a pretty good turn out!