Berry Season.
Went by the Little Rock Farmers Market yesterday and noticed it's blueberry season... lots of the first of the year crop are out and available, little dully sweet things that are just on the brink of maturity.
On the other hand, strawberries appear to be at their peak. One young man was passing out berries to try from his stand, then insisting on selling them at $4 a pint. Many takers there.
I also saw a good deal of peaches out there -- but at $10 a flat basket, they seemed a little high. Wondering how the Clarksville area is doing... the peach basket of Arkansas may have suffered some with the ice storm, but I haven't heard for certain.
One thing I did take home was a couple of pounds of Bradley County tomatoes. I relish this time of year; fresh tomatoes are something I don't feel can be equalled. I'm rubbish at growing them myself, so I always prize those gifted to me or that I can pick up here or there.
Speaking of which, this weekend in Warren: the 53rd Annual Pink Tomato Festival, one of the state's oldest gatherings of folks. We're blessed with these free, folksy festivals in our state -- usually featuring talent shows and music, vendors, craftsmen, and stuff for the kids; always featuring one of our native specialties. Certainly worth a check-and-see, especially if you're ready for a little car-bound adventure and have the sunscreen ready.
Comments
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Posted by: Mrs. CPA![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/eatarkansas/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 10, 2009 08:52 AM
Hmmmm, just because there were blueberries sold at the Little Rock Farmers Market does not mean that blueberries are in season. Could just mean that Ben E. Keith had a sale on blueberries. How about supporting Arkansas farmers and shopping at the Certified Arkansas Farmers' Market?
KAT: While certainly there is the possibility of dishonesty from the couple selling said blueberries yesterday, I was told these blueberries were grown in Calhoun County, AR.
Posted by: ChefsWife![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/eatarkansas/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 10, 2009 10:25 AM
I'm in Saline county and my blueberries are just starting to turn the reddish color they get before they go blueish purple.
Can't wait till they are ready....
Posted by: Any*Mouse![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/eatarkansas/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 10, 2009 05:02 PM
Kat, which side of the market did you buy the berries? Several years ago, farmers who grew produce got fed up with peddlers, so the River Market decided to split the market into two. The pavilion closer to Andina's houses peddlers, and one closer to Boulevard houses farmers. The arrangement didn't quite satisfy the farmers, thus they formed CAFM, ending the farmers vs. peddlers fight at the River Market.
Honestly I know most of the vendors there, and I can only think of one or two non-Asian vendors who actually grow their produce. None of them come on Tuesdays. I'm afraid those berries may have come from one of the peddlers.
Then again, some of them sell things out of boxes and also grow certain produce themselves. I know which one produces what, but several years ago I decided not to support them altogether. They defraud customers by putting up signs saying they grow their produce, giving impression that they grow ALL of their produce. The truth is they grow a very small portion of their produce. BUT they had the balls to accuse real farmers of taking business away from them by telling the truth to people. I refuse to support them. Only vendors that I support at the River Market are the Asian vendors and one or two non-Asian vendors that I know grow all of their produce.
The moral of the story is be an informed customer.
KAT: Photo is from the couple who set up on the corner by LaHarpe's Landing... though the hubster says we purchased from a guy and his pre-teen son on the river side. Same folks also sold us some Cabot strawberries that seemed pretty convincing to me -- as in juicy Tuesday and starting to turn today.
Posted by: zaoy![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/eatarkansas/nav-commenters.gif)
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June 10, 2009 05:17 PM