By Toi Degree

Rowan Cooperative Extension

Are you a frequent customer of the Salisbury Farmers’ Market?

If not, you really need to come out and see what’s going on in the market during the 2017 season.  The Salisbury Farmers’ Market is a bit different from other markets — our market is highly social, and vendors interact with customers very well.

Whether they are talking about the produce they have for sale or offering new and different ways to prepare the produce they are selling, there is always friendly conversation and sharing going on.

In addition to those conversations, there is usually a food demonstration, cooking competition or other activity going on in the market. Food demos have become quite common in the market and use the produce that farmers bring fresh to the market that day.  This ensures that items are at the peak of ripeness. Food demos allow customers to see how quick and easy it is to whip up a healthy meal and allow them to try new recipes.

Food demonstrations are offered by the Family and Consumer Education Agent at Cooperative Extension or Dr. Vivian Ray, director of the Hospitality Management program at Livingstone College.

Cooking demos aren’t the only arena in which market goers have seen food prepared at the market.  In 2015, the Salisbury Farmers’ Market hosted its first cooking competition called, Market Chef. The competition was very successful, and we crowned our first Market Chef Champion. Our plan is to revisit that cooking competition and at some point, design another for youth, as well.

Not only can you buy produce at the market, you can also pick up baked goods, crafts, dog treats, flowers, seafood and much more. If you haven’t come to the market in a while, I would encourage you to do so.

Our market has so much to offer. Not only can you shop and discover a new recipe, you might just make a new friend.

As we begin to gear up for another year at the Salisbury Farmers’ Market, the first order of business is to host the annual meeting.  The meeting will be held Monday, Jan. 30, at 6:30 p.m. at the Rowan County Cooperative Extension office. This meeting is open to growers, bakers and artisans who have sold or would like to sell at the Salisbury Farmers’ Market for the 2017 season.

For more information, contact Toi N. Degree, family and consumer education agent, Rowan County Cooperative Extension, 704-216-8970 or e-mail toi_degree@ncsu.edu