Columbia, Missouri, Farmer's Market Brings Fresh Produce

The Columbia Farmer's Market in Columbia, Missouri, is where local residents can find some of the freshest food from around the area. Farmers come out from around mid-Missouri with trucks of fresh produce that are eagerly snatched up by the shoppers. It's good to come early, while there's still a wide selection, because some of the popular items run out early.

If you decide to check out the Columbia Farmer's Market, here are five things you should make sure you don't miss.

The Goatsbeard Farm goat cheese. For cheese lovers, this is the one place you should not miss at the Columbia Farmer's Market. The Goatsbeard Farm makes a variety of goat cheeses, some of them spreads flavored with garlic or other seasonings. They're great for parties, or for snacking on by yourself at home with a sleeve of crackers. They're $5 for a chunk of cheese.

Honey ice cream. Especially in the hot months of summer, there's nothing like a cool cup of sweet ice cream. Honey ice cream is even tastier, because it's flavored with natural honey (produced on the farm) instead of processed sugar. The honey ice cream stand is at the back of the Columbia Farmer's Market, so make sure you walk all the way back so you don't miss it. The ice cream comes in a variety of flavors, such as raspberry, peach and original. Flavors also can vary from week to week, and depending on the time in the season.

Asian vegetables. You wouldn't think of mid-Missouri as a place where Asian vegetables are grown, but there are several vendors at the Columbia Farmer's Market that offer Asian vegetables. Whether you're looking for some unfamiliar vegetables to try (or familiar ones!), the farmer's market is a good place to check out for Asian vegetables.

Herbs. There's nothing like some fresh herbs to bring out the flavor in a dish, but it can sometimes be hard to track down really fresh herbs at grocery stores. The Columbia Farmer's Market offers a variety of fresh herbs, including some, like false cilantro, that are unfamiliar to most people.

Whatever else is there. Every time I go to the farmer's market, there's something new there. It's hard to expect what's going to be there, so the best way about it is to just show up and enjoy. It's a place where lots of local people come to on the weekends and is a fun atmosphere.