by Celestina Blok • photography by Jason Kindig
Thriving Farmers"Markets & CommunitySupported Agriculture:
This spring, the Fort Worth City Council made a move to allow eggs and frozen meat to be sold at local farmers markets, a move that's been very positive for both farmers" and shoppers, says Gwin Grimes, owner of Artisan Baking Co. and president of the North Central Texas Farmers Market Corp., which operates the Cowtown Farmers Market.
"Our membership has grown with the new ranchers and more farmers this year," she says. "Our egg vendors routinely sell out quickly."
If you still haven't visited one of Fort Worth's thriving farmers markets, here are a few pointers: Arrive at opening time for the best selection. Bring cash (small bills are preferred), as well as your own shopping bag. Talk to the farmers about their growing practices and how animals are raised. And if making it to a market isn't always feasible, consider joining in community-supported agriculture, where each quick pick-up provides for a preselected array of seasonal produce you might not have tried otherwise.
CowtownFarmers Market
Now shoppers can find several vendors who carry chicken, eggs, beef and even pork, goat and turkey, including Millsap's Prairie Oasis Farm, Azle's Ash Creek Farms, P.O.P. Acres Ranch & Farm in Purdon, Garrett Creek Farms in Paradise and Lazy CJ Farm & Ranch in Franklin. Make a point to visit the third Saturday of the month, when chefs from the Culinary School of Fort Worth demonstrate how to cook your market finds.
Saturdays & Wednesdays,
8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
3821 Southwest Blvd.
Fort Worth, Texas 76116
Thursdays, 3 - 7 p.m.
Lot 15, University of North Texas Health Science Center
Southside UrbanMarket
We love the "Whupped" honey from the Texas Honeybee Guild that's regularly found at this community market along with melons and root vegetables from Pruitt Farms, heirloom tomatoes from First Earth Farms and greens, squash and cut herbs from Fairmount's own Hot Diggity Southside Gardens. Also find hot pickles, preserved lemon confit and strawberry basil jam from local purveyor Seed and Salvage. Vendors and items change regularly, so each week brings surprises.
Corner of S. Main St. & E. Daggett
Fort Worth, Texas
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Elizabeth Anna's Old World Garden
This urban farm sits near the bustling Fort Worth hospital district and offers community supported agriculture with weekly pick-ups. Shares include fresh produce from the on-site garden along with the option of free-range beef, poultry and eggs from other local, organic farmers.
2825 8th Ave.
Fort Worth, Texas 76110
817.922.0930
Cold Springs Farm
Members of "the 4th Street gang" meet weekly to pick up their harvest share from Beverly Thomas of Cold Springs Farm. Join the club (which grows each season) by paying $320 for eight weeks of community supported agriculture, including Thomas" heirloom, rare and even commercially extinct varieties of vegetables and herbs – all certified organic.
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