Fresh, old-fashioned farmers market fun

You, a resident or visitor of Northern Nevada, may ask yourself sometime in the first official days of summer, when the days seem to go on forever and the air heats up to sweltering triple-digit degrees, what kind of fruit or vegetable plant is even able to grow in this arid climate? What kind of plant wants to grow here — besides cacti and tumbleweeds?

To that I say two things. Number one, at least this isn’t Southern Nevada. And number two, to get your answer, look no further than the amazing, bountiful farmers markets the area hosts all summer long.

In many ways, farmers markets are my favorite summer activity. A whole community comes together over fresh local produce and one-of-a-kind products and the food itself is delicious. And the best part? Northern Nevada has no shortage of farmers markets this time of year. In fact, almost every nearby town has its own, making it so you could go to a different farmers market almost every day of the week.

So round up the kids or take your significant other on a special mid-morning date and dive into these Northern Nevada farmers markets this summer.

Vendors come from all over. Sometimes it’s a local restaurant or business selling its popular products and other times it’s a farm from Fallon or Northern California. Carson City’s 3rd & Curry St. Market is a great example of this. Growing up nearby meant heading to this market every week for homegrown tomatoes, apricots and berries. As you walk through the market to the sounds of live music, you’ll see a Comma Coffee or San Rafael Coffee stand. Then there’s Stagecoach’s Campie Lavender Farm filling the air with that great floral scent, and the buzz of Hidden Valley Honey’s bees making sweet honey for its candles and soap products. Aside from plenty of fresh local produce, this market is also big on local meats from Bently Farms (grass-fed beef!) and Freshway Fish from Roseville, CA. This farmers market is every Saturday morning. Photo: Facebook

Then there’s Sparks’ premier farmers market at 39 North Downtown. Here on Thursday evenings is a massive outdoor marketplace, taking up much of Victorian Square with farm produce, artisan crafts, live music, performances, kids' activities and tons of delicious, fresh foods. I suggest checking out the cooking demos with celebrity chef Sparky Walsh. This one always pulls in the great independent businesses from all over Reno, selling specialty-made treats and gifts. Be sure to try the falafel tacos from The Fix food truck as well! Photo: Facebook

Along the historic Esmeralda Avenue is Minden’s old town district, where the Minden Farmers Market takes place every Tuesday evening this summer. Like the town itself, this market is small but packed with wonderful finds. Fresh produce is supplied from the farms across the expansive Carson Valley and beyond along with the valley’s notable Bently beef. You’ll also find a few handmade gift items from local craftspeople. And while you’re there, be sure to cap the night off with a brew and a burger at the Corner Bar, which was formerly the town’s original bank.

For a broader scope of what the farms of rural Nevada have to offer, head a few more miles south to Lampe Park, host of the Sierra Chef Farmers Market. Every Wednesday morning, the park fills with 40 vendors (and counting), supporting the Nevada Grown organization and the Farmers Market Coalition. It’s a huge celebration of Nevada’s farms and Carson Valley’s family-owned businesses, featuring Alpine Crepes, lunch from Tahoe Tenderloins food truck, Killer Salsa from Gardnerville and all the season’s best fruit, vegetables and greens you could want from family farms in California. Want to make a pie? Pick up your fresh berries from the Rodriguez Bros. Ranch stand. Oh, and don’t miss out on Bellamallow’s gourmet marshmallows — let me know what the Strawberry Champagne marshmallow is like!

Photo: Sierra Chef

Reno’s longest running farmers market is The Village Market on California Avenue. Every Saturday morning, the parking lot of the Shops at the Village fill up with vendors like Paine Orchards, Liberty Food & Wine Exchange and Lattin Farms, Fallon’s famous family farm (which is currently growing its massive corn maze — but more on that in October). If you’re in South Reno, however, many of these vendors can be found at the Summit Mall’s farmers market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Here you’ll also be able to pick up some fresh baked goods from the Paul Schat’s Bakery stand and, of course, do some shopping as well.

Photo: Shirley's Farmers Markets

So as much you may feel like you’re in the middle of the desert, Northern Nevada’s farmers markets bring the homegrown goodness right to you, while giving you the chance to check out the area’s local artists, enjoy some live music and, most of all, support Nevada’s independent farmers and growers with the rest of the community. To me, there’s nothing that feels more like summer than the taste of fresh peaches, juicy berries and homemade honey.

For more events this weekend, check out our Daytime, Nightlife and Community pages.