The Market is Open and CANAS Fall Mixer!

Good Morning Market,

In the words of a famous musical I may or may not have starred in back in high school, Oh, what a beautiful morning! I write you from the comfort of my front porch, a slight breeze blowing as the birds chirp in the warmth of the sun. I just finished a local tamale and fried egg breakfast with loved ones, and there’s a pot full of coffee to keep my fingers typing. Though I grew up in Pennsylvania, it’s mornings like these that make me especially glad to be an Arkansan.

All this great weather also means great food. The market is open all year-round, but this is just about the most prolific time of year for our amazing farmers. We’ve got almost 800 different locally-grown and produced products, just some of which include…

• This will be the last weekend ever to purchase hardy woody plants like tea plants, pawpaws, blueberry bushes, and blackberry bushes from A B C Nature Greenhouse and Herb Farm. Snag some incredible deals on these Arkansas-grown, no-hormone and no-spray plants, teas and herbs!

• 100% pasture-raised, grassfed lamb from McSwain Ranch out in Lonoke. If you’re not already in love with this highly nutritious and delicious delicacy, get some ground for the absolute best lamburgers, roast a leg for a tender feast, or sear some loin chops and you’ll be glad you did!

• Who’d a thunk you could grow a Japanese Minowase Daikon radish right here in Arkansas? Little Rock’s own Willow Springs Market Garden, that’s who! There’s lots of ways to enjoy a daikon, but I believe in pickling whenever possible. Check out the prepared foods section for their two kinds of pepper jellies!

• Snag some chicory/Italian dandelion from Food for Thought Farm’s Bigelow food forest. These leaves are high in vitamins A, C, and iron and are absolutely delicious sauteed with garlic and olive oil.

• Our market is the place to get your restaurant-quality locally-grown herbs & spices. Use them for everything from teas and medicines to adding incredible flavors to your favorite dishes. We’ve got the standards like basil, sage, and thyme as well as the stuff you can’t get at the grocery store like olive leaves, elderberries, and gotu kola leaves.

Our sponsored project CANAS is having a Fall Mixer this Thursday, October 30th from 6:30-9 at the new Good Food by Ferneau. Come mix and mingle with other local agrarians and foodies while enjoying some great local food from Butcher and Public, drinks by Garden Press, and music by DBK! Costumes are welcomed but not required.

Happy Halloween!

- Alex Handfinger
Director of Operations

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