By Sue Davis
Master Gardener Volunteer
It is difficult to believe it is nearly November. The first frost has threatened but the Salisbury Farmers Market is still alive with fresh produce including some tomatoes, peppers and summer squash.
But the highlights of this weekís market are pumpkins, gourds, winter squash and greens. Joyceís Greenhouse has colorful mums and other cool season annuals. Bostian Farm has tender collards, pumpkins and winter squash. Lee Ly has lovely lettuce and Asian vegetables. Several of the vendors have apples from western North Carolina. Donít forget to pick up locally grown sweet potatoes. They are especially good this year.
T&D Charolais Beef has a variety of cuts of top quality beef. Their cuts of beef are great for grilling, roasting or slow cooking. Wild Turkey Farm has some specials and lots of fall grilling favorites like hamburger, angus beef hot dogs and American Brats. There are also soup bones to help you create a hearty soup or stew. The bakers are using fall ingredients in many of their freshly baked items this week. How Sweet It Is! has Halloween cookies and pumpkin bread. The Bread Basket has spice bars, cranberry chocolate chip bars and Pumpkin pies.
This is the last week the market will open at 7 a.m. Several people have asked why the market will be opening so late and for such a short time each Saturday. Several weeks ago I sought to experience the opening of the market at 7 a.m. That morning, sunrise was just a few minutes after 7. It was uncomfortably cool for late September. Our vendors begin arriving and setting up by 6:30. Now sunrise is after 7:30 and its uncomfortably cold. By changing the opening until 9, the vendors can come in and set up after 8 when the sun is beginning to warm the air.
Each Saturday until Dec. 17, the vendors will provide you with great shopping for fresh produce, meats, eggs and baked goods until noon. Craft vendors and vendors with seasonal decorations and gift ideas will increase during the final weeks of the market to help you with one-stop shopping. Bakers will be taking orders for holiday treats and cookie trays.
New vendors are invited to sell their produce, plants, crafts and edibles at the market. To participate, you will need to comply with the market rules. Crafts must be created by the vendor, foods must be prepared in a licensed kitchen and follow specific processing and packaging requirements and plants and produce must comply with specific standards. If you are interested in selling at the Salisbury Farmers Market, contact Market Manager Harry Agner at 704-633-3503 to get detailed information. Watch the Salisbury Post and Farmers Market Web Page for special events during the late fall early winter Farmers Market.
The Salisbury Farmers Market is open 7 a.m. until noon this Saturday at the corner of Bank Street and Main Street. On Nov. 5, the hours of the market will change to Saturday 9 a.m. until noon.