Imagine this: The sun is shining, the air is buzzing with scintillating conversations shared over endless carafes of sangria and farm fresh plates of succulent food — your food, in fact. As a home chef, this is the atmosphere you hope to create every night of the week. The only surefire way to create this type of atmosphere is to pay the utmost respect to the food you serve and pick out only the freshest ingredients from the locals who know them best. The fresher the ingredients, the better your results.
The Dane County Farmers' Market, with both summer and winter markets, is open year round whether there be rain, snow, or sunshine. But there's no reason to keep your search for freshness limited to one state in the nation. So, in the interest of finding the freshest ingredients, we have designed a road trip sure to please your palate and inspire you to create dishes that go beyond your usual fare. So pack up your bags and get geared up for the home chef's ultimate road trip where you will discover some of the finest farmers' markets around.
Prepare Your Trip
First things first, create a checklist of things you need, supplies you must bring and the driving laws and regulations in the states you are going to travel in. Check out Driving-Tests.org for information, so you don't have to worry about getting pulled over or paying unnecessary tickets. Also, do a thorough check of your vehicle before leaving for your trek to make sure that everything is in working order so you can avoid stress as you travel.
First Stop: Great Barrington Farmers' Market
The Great Barrington Farmers' Market is the first stop on our list. From vegetables to cheeses to wine to almost any vegetable imaginable, this market is located in downtown Barrington every Saturday in the summer from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. You can begin your trek by checking out the local coffee and work your way through breakfast and lunch by exploring the assortment of wares and live music as you get the best ingredients for your table.
Second Stop: Harvard Farmers' Market
Located in Central Massachusetts, the Harvard Farmers' Market is dedicated to reaching out to the community and providing fresh local produce along the way. What makes this market worth a stop is the Harvard Seed Library, a program designed to help preserve the local agriculture and help people cultivate their own gardens from start to finish. This way you can take a piece of the market home with you and grow your own vegetables for years to come.
Third Stop: Ward's Berry Farm
While farmers markets can offer a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, pick-your-own farms offer you the opportunity to see the land where your food is cultivated and pick what you want straight from Mother Nature. Ward's Berry Farms in Sharon, MA, offers strawberries, blueberries and pumpkins, depending on the time of year. The farm also offers weekly boxes that feature the latest harvest, fresh from the farm to you. Be sure to stop here on your trip so that you can experience the joy of having your own harvest.
This road trip is sure to spark your innovation and creativity in the kitchen. And with the fresh ingredients, you will satiate and delight your friends and family with your food.