Get Your Health Foods Up Close and Personbal At Accessible Farmers' Markets
by Amanda Weisberg
If you’re among those who eschew the purchase of your family’s health-sustaining fruits and veggies from the big box markets, another option you have to consider is the ever-growing roster of weekly farmers markets serving the neighborhoods of central, south-central and near southeast Denver.
Kicking off the 2008 farmers market season is one of the area’s largest such events – the Cherry Creek Fresh Market – operated under the Colorado Fresh Markets banner. CFM organizers Christopher Burke (former executive director of the Boulder Farmers Market) and his wife Michele (former development director for the E-Town radio series) are marking the 10th anniversary of weekly markets in Cherry Creek.
The Cherry Creek Fresh Market runs Saturdays, 8a.m.-1p.m., May 3-Oct. 25, with a companion market on Wednesdays, June 4-Sept. 24, 9a.m.-1p.m. Both weekly extravaganzas have been moved from the Bed, Bath and Beyond parking lot to a new location on Cherry Creek Drive North, at University Blvd., opening up much needed parking in the adjacent lot.
Over 70 Colorado farmers and related vendors offer fresh fruits and vegetables, fragrant flowers, bedding plants, culinary herbs, local dairy and specialty food items. The Burkes promise a fresh crop of growers, gourmet food stands and garden and kitchen-related products to spice up the mix.
Another pair of CFM markets is slated to open soon in the neighborhoods to the north of Cherry Creek. The mix of vendors and specialty items differs a bit from market to market, but you can expect plenty of fresh tastes and aromas to make your voyage worthwhile.
The Stapleton Farmers Market, located on Founders’ Green, adjacent to the E. 29th St. Town Center (29th & Quebec St.) resumes its spring/summer Sunday run, June 15-Sept. 28, 8:30a.m.-12:30p.m. The Stapleton Farmers Market is sponsored by Forest City Stapleton.
The City Park Esplanade Fresh Market – presented by Kaiser Permanente – will once again set up by the Sullivan Fountain at Colfax Ave. and City Park Esplanade, Sundays, June 1-Oct. 26, 9a.m.-1p.m.
For information about CFM markets, visit www.coloradofreshmarkets.com.
The merchants of Old South Pearl Street welcome you to join your friends and neighbors each Sunday, June 8-Oct. 26, 9a.m.-1p.m., for the South Pearl Street Farmers Market.
Pearl Street will host a “growers-only” market this year, in support of Colorado’s home-grown farmers. This year’s selection of fresh produce and floral offerings will be supplemented by a vendor of fine cheeses, a pair of booths offering top quality beef, and much more. Event coordinator Nicole Jarman tells us that, “As a growers market, we will only offer what is in season here in Colorado. So if someone is selling peaches or cherries somewhere else, it’s because they’re shipping it in from somewhere else. We feel strongly that we want to support our Colorado growers, exclusively.”
Jarman assures market-goers that Pearl Street’s 2008 market will put on the greenest possible face, emphasizing recycling and reusable bags, and will make an effort to clearly identify organic vendors, as well as those using recycled reusable or compostable materials (plates, silverware, etc.).
Further enhancing the South Pearl Street Farmers Market will be a series of special events through the summer and fall: June 22, Pet Fair; Aug. 24, The Green Festival; Sept. 7, Kids Festival; Sept. 28, Health Fair; and Oct. 26, Halloween Treasure Hunt.
Info: email nicolejarman@gmail.com or visit www.oldsouthpearlstreet.com.
