After a tip from some friends that there was a Farmer's Market in Seaside, I loaded up the kids and Mike and drove out there Saturday to see what I might find. I mainly wanted to go because the Ocheesee Dairy sells their milk there - but seeing that our own Farmer's Market in FWB is a far cry from a real one - I've been searching for a good alternative for months. I'm always concerned about the quality of food - we typically only eat organic produce, we have our own eggs from our chickens and drink organic milk as well. Just recently I've found a source for local chicken and we'll be switching over to grass-fed, grass finished beef and pork soon as well - since I've found a source for that finally.
Like I said - I've been disappointed in the market options closer to my house - The "farmer's" at the FWB market are ones who mostly buy and resell produce. With this situation they cannot tell me whether the farmer sprayed the veggies or ground, etc. They can only guess and they'll tell you anything they think you might want to hear!
All in all - seeing that it is March and the growing season has been incredibly short-changed by our really cold winter - it was a great little market. The kids had fun at the 4-H table where they made crafts and ate cookies.
Things I purchased:
Tomato and Onion Fococcia $5
10-grain Artisan Bread $3.75
Cowboy cookies $5... This bag is obviously empty. They were some
of the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had! The neat thing about them
was that the baker incorporated ingredients from other vendors
who were at the market (butter and eggs).
1/2 gallon pasteurized milk from the Ocheesee Creamery.
$5 for the milk, $3 deposit for the bottle.
A little pricey - yes, but man you should taste it!
There was a farmer selling early spring produce, but my fridge was already full of produce - I'm excited to see what other produce shows up as the growing season kicks into full swing.
The other neat find was Twin Oaks Farm - I met the owner Renee. She's a very sweet, passionate lady - raising certified organic chickens and ducks - both for meat and eggs. She's located in Bonifay. I'm excited to see her business grow!
Being that I love Seaside - the atmosphere is just so calm and relaxing - I think we'll be heading out there frequently this spring and summer.
If you're in the local area - I hope you'll do the same!
