Fort Worth Farmers Markets:

Farmers Markets always remind me of shelling black-eyed peas, which always seemed to follow our childhood visits to the local FM. The 70s meant buying fresh...buying local. These days, farmers markets are regaining popularity again. The USDA Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) reported a 6.8 percent increase in farmers markets from August 2006 to 2008. The numbers have continued to rise.

There seems to have been a paradigm shift in consumers' shopping habits, leaning more in favor of environmentally-friendly purchases. Here's a listing of farmers markets in the D/FW area.

Ridgmar Farmers Market:

900 Alta Mere Drive, West Fort Worth. Under its 'big top' red and white striped structure, it's hard to miss this local favorite. RFM offers seasonal fruits and vegetables, nuts, flowers, plants, jams and jellies...Dublin Dr. Pepper, even Christmas trees. Open year-round...seven days a week 8 am to 8 pm.

*Accepts major credit cards, wheel chair accessible. Phone: (817) 246-7525

Farmers Market Fort Worth, Inc:

5507 E. Belknap Street, Haltom City. Owned and operated by the Sayers family since 1973. Open year-round, Mon-Sat 8 am to 5:30 pm, closed on Sunday. FMFW offers a fine selection of fresh produce at bargain prices. The last time I shopped there, I left with three bags of fresh fruits and veggies for less than twelve bucks.

*Accepts major credit cards, wheel chair accessible.

Cowtown Farmers Market:

Southwest Blvd at Highway 183 Traffic Circle, West Fort Worth. Open year-round Wed-Sat, 8 am to noon. Cowtown Farmers Market is said to be Fort Worth's original 'producer only' market. For farmers markets to be labeled producer only, everything sold must be grown, raised, or produced within 150 miles of market location. Call hotline for weekly produce selection: (817) 462-1426. Website: www.cowtownfarmersmarket.com.

Downtown Farmers Market:

4800 South Hulen at South end of Hulen Mall parking lot. Downtown Farmers Market is open year-round Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 9 am 'til sell-out, offering a selection of seasonal flowers and produce.

Dallas Farmers Market:

1010 South Pearl Expressway, corner of Harwood and Marilla. Dallas Farmers Market is open year-round 8 am 'til 6pm daily. Since 1941, the DFM has been a Dallas tradition. One of the largest of its kind in the nation, DFM offers classes and special events all year long.

Website: www.dallasfarmersmarket.org.

WORKS CITED:

*USDA/Agriculture Marketing Services (AMS):

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5072472&acct=frmrdirmkt

* www.bloomingfoods.org

* www.rodaleinstitute.org

* www.dallasfarmersmarket.org

* www.cowtownfarmersmarket.com