Farmer’s markets thrive in Northern Indiana
It’s just after 8 a.m. on Saturday and business is already brisk at farmer’s markets in the heart of downtown Michigan City, at Chesterton’s European Market, and just outside Elkhart at the brand-new American Countryside farmer’s market, the Midwest’s largest.
These are just a few of more than a dozen farmer’s markets in northern Indiana’s seven-county region. Plus, dozens more roadside produce stands, u-pick fruit farms and country markets fill the region. If the recent opening of the expansive Farmer’s Market at American Countryside is any indication, the “farmer’s market” is growing in popularity and in numbers about as fast as corn in Indiana.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), over a 10-year period ending in 2006, the number of farmer’s markets in the United States has doubled to roughly 5,000. Today, not only are long-standing farmer’s markets being rediscovered and revitalized, brand-new marketplaces that add entertainment and art are cropping up. Whether it’s due to an increased demand for organically raised and local farm-fresh food or just the unique experience of such a marketplace, northern Indiana’s farmer’s markets are more popular and plentiful than ever.
A few shopping tips make outings to farmer’s markets even more fun and fruitful. Contact the local visitor’s information center for regional specialties, such as fruits and vegetables and food products. The cardinal rule is to arrive early, since some markets sell out early! Below is a sampling of farmer’s markets in northern Indiana.
Dunes Country – Porter and LaPorte Counties
Fruit, particularly blueberries and raspberries in July and August, as well as vegetables flourish in the rolling farm fields and orchards of Dunes Country. Traditional farmer’s markets are tucked in towns and cities and also fill the hilly countryside that extends from the sandy shores of Lake Michigan.
Amish Country – Elkhart and LaGrange Counties
The Amish countryside of northern Indiana spreads across two adjoining counties. Along with farmer’s markets in towns like Elkhart, LaGrange and Howe, explore the back roads for country stores, bakeries and seasonal farm stands which are plentiful in the area.
North-Central Lakes Country and South Bend
South Bend’s farmer’s market legacy dates back more than 75 years and includes generations-old vendors. Just south in the lake filled countryside of Kosciusko and Marshall Counties, the Warsaw Farmer’s Market is held three days a week seasonally. As a dining destination, quaint Culver along Lake Max has Chicago-caliber restaurants and a seasonal farmer’s market on Saturday.
For information and listings of farmer’s markets:
* www.pickyourown.org
* Local Harvest www.LocalHarvest.org
* USDA-Farmer’s Markets www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets
* Farmers’ Market Coalition www.FarmersMarketCoalition.org
* IN Department of Agriculture Farmer’s Markets www.in.gov/isda/market/index
Courtesy of grouptravelblog.com
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