Happy New Year from the Coppell Farmers Market! Here’s to your year of eating wholesome, connecting with your food producers, and a healthy community lifestyle! The Coppell Farmers Market will be open this winter the second and fourth Saturdays in January, February, and March, so plan ahead to make the farmers market one of the healthy ingredients in 2015.
2014 was a big year for the Coppell Farmers Market with the much anticipated move to the newly built pavilion on Main Street in Old Town Coppell. With the addition of cover, restrooms, playground, and an interactive fountain, the farmers market became a family destination for good food and fun. The middle of July customer count rose 40% over prior years. Vendor count also increased with the space, including a rotating set of local food entrepreneurs with their specialty items and two special days with the Avenue of Arts & Crafts. The popular CFM Farm to Table Dinner sold out in 2 hours this year, the Chef Demos were standing room only, and the Food Day for Kids encouraged families to make healthy food choices.
Looking ahead to 2015, the Coppell Farmers Market will continue to focus on the original mission and invites customers and volunteers to form a relationship with local growers/producers in order to provide fresh, seasonal produce and agricultural products for our community while fostering a sense of place in Old Town Coppell. Since the farmers market established in 2003, the farmers and producers are increasing in numbers and experience, including new farmers just out of college making locally grown food more available for all. Many plans for 2015, including the CFM Farm to Table Dinner on June 7. Subscribe on the CFM website for the weekly newsletters, to find out when tickets will go on sale at the farmers market and more!
What’s fresh January 10th? Nutrient rich, colorful root vegetables include carrots, sweet potatoes, perhaps green onions, chives, beets, turnips, and various specialty radishes. A few herbs like fennel, rosemary, and cilantro can survive the winter. Broccoli, cabbage, Bloomsdale spinach, mixed leaf lettuces, and ninja radishes also do well in the cool weather. New crop pecans are in the shell or shelled. Winter greens will continue for smoothies and/or sides.
Pastured beef and pork, free range chicken, and wild caught Alaska salmon will continue. Look for both goat cheese and artisan cheese, along with farm eggs. Visit with the farmers to find out growing/raising practices.
Artisan food vendors are widely varied with something for everyone, including the dogs. Most of the regular vendors will be selling through the winter months, so come and say hi.
The CFM is open this Saturday and then returns the second and fourth winter Saturdays on January 10 and 24, February 14 and 28, and March 14 and 28. Hours remain 8 a.m. to noon at 768 W. Main Street in Old Town Coppell. Lone Star Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) and bank ATM cards can be used to purchase wooden market tokens (market cash) at the info booth in the center of the pavilion.
For current market news and events, join the Coppell Farmers Market on Facebook and Twitter and subscribe to a weekly email update at http://.coppellfarmersmarket.org.