Bluegrass Farmers Market

That's right, it's a blue Tuesday at the Bluegrass Farmers' Market! Blue as in BLUEBERRIES!!!

And, it's also the very first day of summer...officially! That means you'll find all sorts of summertime goodness at the market today. Look for...

tomatoes

green beans

zucchini

yellow squash

onions

cabbage

new potatoes

kale

fresh cut basil

cut flowers

homemade jam

And, so much more!

June 25^th

“Lil” Market Shoppers Day!

We're celebrating our “lil” shoppers by giving them each a “lil” market tote!

Heck, they might even contain some goodies!!!

*** Make sure you bring the kids on Saturday ***

~*~ 2011 MARKET HOURS ~*~

Saturday 9 until 2 or until sold out

Tuesday 3 until 6:30 or sold out

We'll be set up in the beautiful tree lined parking lot of Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs, right next door to the Glenn Auto Mall on Richmond Rd. It's just a hop, skip and a jump outside of Man 'O War Blvd. Parking is right there so you don't have to drive around hunting for a spot to park. The parking lot is also paved and that makes it very stroller and wheelchair friendly!

The Bluegrass Farmers' Market

is Lexington's only

100% homegrown/produced farmers market!

And, each of our farmers are certified

Kentucky Proud

and GAP trained...

that means we know

Good Agricultural Practices!

IT'S TIME TO CAST YOUR VOTE!

We were voted #1 in the state of Kentucky last year thanks to you, our loyal customers! We hope we can do it again in 2011...we need your vote! Just click on the Bluegrass Farmers' Market link and cast your vote...tell your friends and family too!

http://action.farmland.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Market_Vote&searchTerm=bluegrass+farmers+market&x=29&y=17

Saturday's market is sure to make you smile! Let's start with the sweet stuff first. How about some pumpkin cookies, zucchini bread, chocolate zucchini cake or plenty of homemade jams and jellies. Our farmers have been busy in the kitchen!

How about the sweet goodies fresh from our gardens? We'll have wonderful blueberries and maybe even some black raspberries. Can you drizzle honey on berries? Why not and we'll have plenty of local honey too!

Now for the “good for you” veggies! Fire up your grills and serve some tasty onions, new potatoes and squash. Don't forget the wonderful sugar snap peas, turnips and the crisp lettuce. One of our farmers will even have some fresh garlic! Pair that with a pot of kale, Swiss chard and mustard greens and you've got a pot full of goodness!

Don't forget those fresh cut herbs like basil, oregano and mint! Did you know that you can dry them easily for use during the winter months? Just wash them, pat them dry and then place them on 2 sheets of paper towel and cover with 2 more sheets of toweling. Microwave at 50% power for about 3 minutes and you should have beautiful dried herbs! Make sure you store them in an airtight container and keep them away from the sun and heat. You'll be glad you had them when winter soup time comes along! Of course, if you don't want to spend the time drying your own herbs we've got hand blended herb seasoning available too!

Treat dad on his special day to a steak or burger with some of our locally raised beef! And, don't forget to decorate the table with some beautiful Lisianthus or other fresh cut flower...we'll have plenty of bouquets available! Maybe you could give him a surprise and plant some beautiful lilies or gorgeous bedding plants in the garden. Or, treat him to his own banana tree!!! Or, perhaps a good soak in a hot tub with some wonderful handmade soaps!

As you can tell, our farmers are busy working to make sure that you have the very best in 100% homegrown or produced good stuff! We guarantee that you won't find anything that was trucked in to our market. We do it all!!!

Hope to see you all on Saturday at the market! We're located at 3450 Richmond Rd. in the Fast Sign and Pedal the Planet tree lined parking lot. It's right next to the Glenn Auto Mall and we have plenty of convenient parking available. Heck, we're even stroller and wheelchair friendly! And, rumor has it that dogs get a treat from one of our farmers, so bring “Fido” too!

Market hours: Tuesday 3:00 until 6:30 and Saturday from 9 until 2!

Remember, we are the ONLY 100% HOMEGROWN or PRODUCED FARMERS MARKET in LEXINGTON! And, all of our farmers are certified KENTUCKY PROUD!

Boy oh boy, have our farmers been busy! You're sure to love what they'll be bringing to the market this Saturday so plan on spending some time with us so you can make sure you don't miss out on anything!

The big news...blackberries are in! So are the wonderful freshly dug new potatoes and fingerlings. Heck, you might even find some of the seasons first cucumbers too. More spring offerings still available will be sugar snap peas, snow peas, rhubarb, lettuce and mixed greens, turnips, green onions and probably the very last of the asparagus. Our farmers don't harvest until just the right time so with a little luck you'll be able to find arugula and kale this week too. And don't forget the fresh cut basil and cilantro!

What do farmers do when it's raining and they can't work in the fields? They go indoors and bake, blend and create! And, you'll be happy to know that many of them will be bringing their creations to the market this week. Like the spiced tomato jam, hot pepper jam, fruit jams and jellies, sourdough wheat and other breads, jam cake, herb seasoning blends, dried tomatoes and even Amish cheese! The creativity doesn't stop there. Look for beeswax candles and lip balm, homemade soaps, recycled material tote bags, lavender sachet and fresh lavender bundles! You'll even be able to watch while one of our farmers spins her llama, sheep and angora goat wool! With a little help from the bees and hens you'll also find farm fresh eggs and honey.

Want some beautiful color and scent in your home or yard? We'll have fresh cut flowers, hanging floral baskets and planters, ornamental grasses, bedding plants, tropicals, herb and even a few vegetable plants too. And, a must have for any cook...a hanging herb garden! Don't forget the llama poo to keep those plants beautiful!

It's gonna be a great Saturday at the Bluegrass Farmers' Market, so come join us from 9am until 2pm. We're located in the beautiful tree lined parking lot of Fast Signs and Pedal the Planet at 3450 Richmond Rd. That's right next door to the Glenn Auto Mall. Parking is plentiful, convenient and wheelchair and stroller friendly. We've done everything we can to make your market experience a great one just like it should be!

Remember, we are the only 100% homegrown or produced market in the area and we take great pride in the fact that all of our farmers are certified Kentucky Proud!

Chances are this will be the last week for strawberries. I'm gonna miss those beautiful red ripe strawberries but my mouth is watering just thinking about the blueberries that will make their first presence at the market tomorrow! Blueberries are my very most favorite of all. Here's a super simple recipe that is always a crowd pleaser.

Blueberry Crisp

4 cups fresh blueberries

1 cup all purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup mayonnaise

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place blueberries into an 8 inch square baking dish. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar and cinnamon. Stir in the mayonnaise and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the top of the blueberries. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the top is lightly browned. Serve with whipped cream. This recipe will serve 4 unless you are like me, then it will only serve 2!

Unfortunately strawberries aren't the only treat that will be making their last appearance at the market for the season. The asparagus will probably only be with us for this week and then they will be gone until next spring. Buy a bunch and freeze them for use during the winter. I just blanch mine for 2-4 minutes depending on the size, then give them an ice bath dunk. Pat them dry and spread them out on a cookie sheet and pop it into the freezer. Once they are frozen solid just put them in a plastic storage bag to keep in your freezer. That way you can just pull out the amount that you need for each meal.

The wonderful sugar snap peas and the snow peas can be frozen the same way...you'll find them at the market tomorrow too! And, don't forget about the rhubarb! Think strawberry rhubarb pie...yummy!

The Tuesday market hours are 3pm until 6:30pm...shop on your way home from the office!

Stay tuned for the Saturday market offerings and remember...

The Bluegrass Farmers' Market is 100% homegrown or produced and we are all

Kentucky Proud!