Farmer's Markets in Your Neighborhood

Are you looking for a new way to eat? Are you leery of your local grocery store's produce aisle? Unsure of what chemicals and pesticides are being used to grow those tomatoes so ginormous? And does organic really mean organic? This summer adopt a new way of shopping for your fruits and vegetables and purchase your produce from a farmer's market.

What is a farmer's market? A farmer's market is where local farmers sell the fruits (or vegetables) of their labors. It can be as extravagant as stand after stand of produce where you can get such good deals because everyone is competing. It can also be as simple as a couple of tents set up in the parking lot of a bank on a Sunday morning. Farmer's Markets also go beyond produce. You can find dairy products, meats, flowers, handmade jewelery and furniture. Truly, you can find anything there you can imagine as long as it is produced locally reducing that ominous carbon footprint.

The truth is that I just started out on my quest to find a perfect farmer's market last year. There is the Soulard Market in St. Louis City, but that is at least 45 miles away from my home and it didn't make me feel like I was buying that close to home. The Soulard Market is wonderful and everyone should experience it, but if you live in the St. Charles County area you probably want other options that are a little closer to home.

I live in the Western part of St. Charles County (actually I live in Lincoln County, but I am so close to the St. Charles County line that sometimes I forget what county I am actually in.) So that is where I focused my search to find a perfect farmer's market for me.

Western St. Charles County is much less urbanized than the rest of the county. No Whole Foods here. Being more rural you would think the opportunity to find a market would be easy, but I have add to do some searching and I still haven't found the perfect one. I am going to provide you with a few to get you started the first one being my favorite one thus far.

Valley Farms, Foristell, Missouri

This is a small market that begins selling on Saturday mornings in June from 9am to 1pm. You can find fresh strawberries, delicious grapes, fresh eggs and handmade products. The market has a play area for young children, a tractor that pulls around an old-fashion barrel train and a couple of animals for the kids to giggle and delight in.

Pros: Growers are the sellers and you get to learn about how their food is nourished. You get to know the person who grew your lettuce.

Cons: Small and limited hours. You have to get there early to get the best!

Hours: Saturday mornings, 9 am - 1 pm. Runs June through September.

Contact Info:
Valley Farms
1125 Dietrich Rd ,Foristell MO 63348
(636) 463- 1205
www.valleyfarms.info

Wentzville Community Club Flea Market, Wentzville, MO

The flea market is a more than just a farmer's market. It is, as it's name clearly states, a flea market where treasure hunters and those who like a deal come out and practice their negotiating skills. I went to the flea market looking for a piece of furniture to rehab and found a whole lot more.

Pros: Many individuals selling vegetables, fruits, and plants. So there is a variation in prices. I scored a delicious pineapple for $1.

Cons: Not everything was locally grown. You can tell by the packaging.

Hours: Sunday mornings, beginning in January through mid-December. 7 am - whenever. Get there early for best selection.

Contact Info:
500 West Main
Wentzville, MO 63385
(636) 357-4328
www.wentzvillefleamarket.org

City of Wentzville's Farmer's Market, Wentzville, MO

Last year the city of Wentzville hosted a small farmer's market in the parking lot of the old Commerce Bank Building. Not really sure if they are planning on doing again this year, but here are some thoughts about it.

Pros: Easy access, central location

Cons: I wasn't very impressed. While there was locally produced food and products, it was small and the picking were slim.

Hours: Summertime. Saturday mornings, 8 am - noon.

Contact Info:
City of Wentzville
310 West Pearce Blvd, Wentzville, MO 63385
(636) 327-5101
www.wentzvillemissouri.org

Overall, the pickings are slim in the western portion of St. Charles County. The ideal would be a market that is open year round and more than one day a week. The sad fact is that for something like this you actually have to go into a more urban market like St. Louis and visit The Soulard Market.

If you live in the St. Charles County area and have insight on more markets. I, and other readers would love to hear from you. Post a comment and let us know what you have found.

Farmer's markets bring communities together and keep our food fresh and local. Support them as often as you can! Your wallet, your stomach and your family will thank you.