Bluegrass Farmers Market

It's Derby Day this Saturday and Kentuckians know how to celebrate the Run for the Roses! The great part is you can shop at the market and still be home in plenty of time for the festivities. And, we've got the makings for a perfect Derby party at the market!

Here's a bit of what you'll be able to find on Derby Day at the Bluegrass Farmers' Market...

Robert will be bringing his wonderful lettuce, asparagus, arugula, green onions, spinach and rhubarb!

Linda will be making her first appearance this Saturday and she'll be bringing her wonderful pepper jams and jellies, the freshly baked zucchini bread and her wonderful chocolate zucchini cake. And, she'll be selling farm fresh eggs for a new farmer who can't make it to the market this week!

Judy is coming loaded down with her fabulous jams, crisp asparagus and even some tomato plants for the gardener in all of us!

Jane is going to be at the market this week! So everyone can actually get to tell her how much you've enjoyed her lettuce, cilantro and strawberries..she'll be bringing more this week!

Drew and Karin will probably have their rainy day set up again but they'll have all of their wonderful herb seasoning blends, homemade soaps, catnip, white sage incense and even some fresh cut mint for those juleps! And, for those of you who enjoyed the herb'n buns, there will be more!

Vicki will be bringing her wonderful herb baskets and herb plants so you can grow your own mint for next year! Make sure you ask her about the open house that she will be having on May 8^th! Don't panic, someone else will be at the market with her beautiful plants on that day.

Roger is going to start bringing some of his heirloom pepper and tomato plants this week. Look for some Alpine strawberry plants and even some herb plants too!

Our own beef gal, Lauren, will only be at the market until 10am because she has to leave early in order to register for the Flying Pig Marathon! That's right...she's going to run this year. But before she leaves you'll still be able to get her wonderful ASH free beef. Just shop early!

There are rumors that we'll have a few new farmers this week too, so come out and give them a warm welcome. And, who knows what other farmers may show up!

~*~ Breaking News ~*~

The Bluegrass Farmers' Market now accepts

WIC EBT/Debit cards!!!

2010 Market Information

When

Saturday 9-2

Tuesday to be announced so stay tuned

Where

3450 Richmond Rd. in the Fast Signs and Pedal the Planet parking lot, right next to the Glenn Auto Mall.

Parking is always FREE and we are stroller and wheelchair friendly!

Why

Because we think everyone who shops at a farmers market deserves to be talking to the farmer who grew, baked, made or created what they are selling!

We are Lexington's only 100% homegrown/produced farmers market!

And, we're all Kentucky Proud certified!

Happy Earth Day!

I can't think of a better way to celebrate than to make plans to visit the Bluegrass Farmers' Market this Saturday. Our farmers work the earth daily so that our customers are guaranteed the freshest and the best in local fruits and veggies.

And, this our second Saturday, promises to be even better than opening day! Here's a bit of what you'll find this week...

Judy will be bringing her farm fresh asparagus and her wonderful homemade jams...yummy! If you are looking for a tomato plant, she'll have them too.

Robert surprised us all last week with his arugula and the god news is, he'll be bringing more! He'll also have that wonderful rhubarb, spinach, lettuce, green onions and of course that spring hit...asparagus!

Keith will be back again with his Kentucky State Fair Championship honey!

Vicki is going to have her beautiful herb baskets, herb plants and even some bedding plants!

Roger will be on hand to talk heirloom tomatoes! You'll have the opportunity to see what he'll have available this year and you can even put your order in ahead of time!

Ed came loaded down with daylilies last week and he promised even more this week!

Lauren will arrive with her freezer full of that fabulous ASH free beef!

Karin and Drew will be there with their hand blended herb seasoning, homemade soaps, catnip and even some white sage incense! And, if time allows you'll even be able to purchase homemade buns to go with Lauren's ground beef...think burgers!

Jane told me that she'll have more lettuce this week and even though she won't be at the market just yet, we'll sell it for her!

And, who knows who else might show up!

Hope to see you all this Saturday, we'll be there with smiles on our faces!

2010 Market Information

When

Saturday 9-2

Tuesday to be announced so stay tuned

Where

3450 Richmond Rd. in the Fast Signs and Pedal the Planet parking lot, right next to the Glenn Auto Mall.

Parking is always FREE and we are stroller and wheelchair friendly!

Why

Because we think everyone who shops at a farmers market deserves to be talking to the farmer who grew, baked, made or created what they are selling!

We are Lexington's only 100% homegrown/produced farmers market!

And, we're all Kentucky Proud certified!

Opening day was a pleasant surprise! We actually had 8 farmers loaded with goodies! That's a bunch considering we are a homegrown/producer market only!

We had a few customers stop by looking for tomatoes and corn and we had to explain to them that they are not in season in Kentucky and unless they were grown in a greenhouse or hydroponically, you won't find any local tomatoes, green beans or corn at a local farmers market! Chances are they came from Texas or somewhere outside of the United States! Not exactly local, needless to say!

Which brings me back to bigger is not always better. Yes, there is a much bigger market in the same town and they do have some really great growers and producers. But, do you really know who they are and what they actually grow? Just because they have a sign up that tells you where they claim to farm, does not mean that they really grew the items available. Not knocking the other market because it is truly a neat place to visit but if you are seriously looking for local homegrown or produced products the Bluegrass Farmers' Market is the only one that can guarantee that's what you'll be getting!

We're small and we're 100% grown or produced by the farmer! We do not allow our members to subsidize their booth with out-of-season products to “hold them over” until their crops come in. It was a decision that we made when we organized our market because we knew that some folks really wanted to support local growers. Did it mean that we don't make quite as much money...YES! Because we don't have the extra added attractions like the out of season peppers, tomatoes and corn. Did it make us want to change our mind...NO! We felt that local supporters deserved to have a place to shop where they know that at each booth you'll find the real grower or producer. It wasn't a hard decision even though our pocketbooks might not be as full. We value our customers and our thoughts that a farmer should get his hands dirty in the soil and not at an auction handing over money to purchase items to resell.

So for us, YES, small is better when it comes to the choice between local homegrown and “it's a way to make money!” And, to those who truly support locally homegrown or produced items..we thank you.

The 2010 Bluegrass Farmers' Market season opens this Saturday and we're thrilled to be back! Fast Signs and Pedal the Planet have once again decided that we are welcome in their beautiful tree lined parking lot and we thank them so much. It's so convenient for our farmers and our customers. The farmers can just pull in and the customers don't have to pay to park or walk very far. It doesn't get better than that...except for the fact that everything you find at our market was either grown, baked, raised or made by the actual farmer. That means you are guaranteed that you are buying local and not something from a terminal or auction like the grocery stores.

There is a downside to be being homegrown only. It means that you won't find corn, tomatoes or green beans yet...they are not in season in Kentucky. What you will find is homegrown freshness!

Here's a bit of what you will find on opening day...

Judy will be bringing her wonderful homemade jams and fresh spring asparagus

Vicki will be bringing her beautiful plants including some herb baskets

Lauren and Brandon will be bringing their fabulous ASH free beef

Karin and Drew will be set up with a full selection of their herb seasoning and homemade soaps

Roger will not have any tomatoes yet, but he sure will have information and orders forms for purchasing plants to grow in your own garden

And, a little bird told us that we will see gorgeous spring bouquets of lilacs and some other surprises too!  Like lettuce!!!

We're so excited and hope you all come join us on opening day, Saturday April 17^th! We'll be there with smiles on our faces and wonderful goodies for you to enjoy.

2010 Market Information

When

Saturday 9-2

Tuesday to be announced so stay tuned

Where

3450 Richmond Rd. in the Fast Signs and Pedal the Planet parking lot, right next to the Glenn Auto Mall.

Parking is always FREE and we are stroller and wheelchair friendly!

Why

Because we think everyone who shops at a farmers market deserves to be talking to the farmer who grew, baked, made or created what they are selling!

We are Lexington's only 100% homegrown/produced farmers market!

And, we're all Kentucky Proud certified!