After a long hiatus, I'm attempting to be productive again. I have a few friends that I'm hoping will hold me accountable so I don't let this fall to the wayside again. Want to help out? Bug me if I you don't see a new post after a month!
And now, for the latest--
It’s that time of year again—when fresh produce is readily available and abundant! I am grateful for the resurgence of the Farmers Market. They are popping up in big cities and small towns across the country. Here in Greenville, there are several around town to choose from. I chose the downtown market this weekend. My strategy is to get there about the time they open so I get the best pickings. This was my haul from several weeks ago.
Produce from Bio Way Farm and Greenbrier Farms
All of this beautiful organic produce came from Bio-Way Farm and greenbrier farms, so I will be highlighting them.
Chris Sermons, owner of Bio-Way Farm converted his father’s hunting grounds into a sustainable organic farm. He continues to make improvements to the farm, such as a 1,000 sq. ft. greenhouse and solar powered irrigation system. That’s cool!! Chris personally thanked me for bringing reusable bags to load my produce. They also use compostable bags instead of traditional plastic bags, which I really appreciate. This is a family that really cares and they are doing it right! (By the way, their Fairy Tale Eggplant is amazing. My husband doesn’t like eggplant, but really enjoys my Ratatoille made with their beautiful, tiny eggplant.)
Bio Way Farm booth in downtown Greenville on Saturdays.
Greenbrier Farms has a lot going on! If you’ve not experienced their Weekly Porch Series, you need to go! There’s live music on the porch and appetizers that are made with their fresh produce. This is $10 a person and well worth it. The views from the back porch are beautiful, allowing you to kick back and relax after a hectic Wednesday. It’s the perfect thing to do on hump day! If you wish to have beer or wine, they have it available for purchase as well (and the price is reasonable). The farm is owned by Chad and Amy Bishop. I first met Chad at Community Tap, our local neighborhood beer joint. I met Amy on the back porch of their farm when she and Chad came out to listen to Jef Chandler (local musician) play one of their favorite Allman Brothers songs. We have that in common.
But I digress. Back to the Farmers Market. Besides their organic, local produce Greenbrier Farms also has eggs and pasture raised and finished meat. I no longer eat much meat, but when I do, I try to buy locally sourced. Yes, it’s more expensive. But these are animals that are lovingly cared for and roam freely. I like to say they had one bad day. Not bad for an animal that is raised to be eaten.
Greenbrier Farms booth in downtown Greenville on Saturdays.
I would be remiss if I didn't share with you some of my other favorites at the downtown Greenville Farmers Market. If you haven't tried the bread or AM Bun from Bake Room, you are missing out! Their baguettes and Pain Levain (an artisanal sourdough bread) are honestly the closest to my secret Parisian bakeries that I've ever had in the US--and I'm picky! And don't miss Sea Eagle for super fresh seafood. They are bringing seafood from the coast around Beaufort up to Greenville! So far, we have had their grouper (to die for), shrimp, scallops and tuna. I made Tuna Poke, which is uncooked, so you have to know that the tuna is really good--it was amazing! There are so many other wonderful vendors that are there out of a love for what they do. Make sure you check it out!
Take the time to discover a farmers market or roadside stand near you. Even if the produce is not organic, you can rest assured knowing that they weren’t sprayed with herbicides and pesticides like the industrial farms (did you know that conventionally grown California strawberries are sprayed up to 20 times in a growing season? YUCK!). Nor are they shipped across the country, nor irradiated to allow for longer shelf life. Buy your produce NOW! If you wait until the next week, it may no longer be growing. Locally grown food will always be a better option. Choose to support locally!