Fresh lettuce from the Norton Family Farm
Salads are a summer treat, right? So how can there be fresh picked lettuce and spinach at the Franklin Farmers Market on a cold winter’s day? Just ask the market’s reigning lettuce master, Jim Norton. This past Saturday at the market, it was cold. Very cold. But the Norton Family Farm had beautiful tasty lettuce and spinach. How was that possible?
Norton Farm’s tender fresh spinach
You can find lettuce and spinach from the Norton farm practically year-round at the market because of the loose-leaf varieties of lettuce and spinach that Jim plants in succession and the use of hoop houses and row covers to protect the lettuce crops from weather and insects. So even though we’ve had plenty of cold days this December, the Norton lettuce and spinach crop continues to thrive.
There were also plenty of winter veggies at the market this past Saturday too, such as winter squash, sweet ‘taters and Brussels sprouts.
Winter Squash
Delvin Farm’s cabbage
Winter veggies from Paradise Produce Farm
Checking out the vegetables from Pilgrim’s Produce
A wide variety of winter veggies to choose from
Freshly baked!
Soups from Lucy’s Kitchen
Lots of yummy jellies from the Norton Family Farm
Tasty Brussels sprouts at the Franklin Farmers Market
Put some green in your diet!
The market’s “Eating in Season” cookbook
Eating vegetables year round is a healthy way to stay in shape. But maybe you are not quite sure what to do with a bunch of beets or a head of cabbage. You can find an easy solution to fixing meals with winter vegetables at the market. Pick up a copy of the FFM’s cookbook, “Eating in Season”. It has recipes for each season of the year. Let’s say that you picked up a turnip at the market but were not quite sure what to do with it in the kitchen. The Eating in Season cookbook has a recipe for Baked Turnip Fries that will leave you begging for more. You can pick up a copy of the Eating in Season cookbook through the winter season at the Norton Family Farm booth. It’s just $15 (plus tax) and it can make every meal, year-round delicious.
Lots of goodies from Lucy’s Kitchen
On this Wednesday, we say goodbye to 2013 and hello to the New Year. And with the new year, come a couple of changes at the Franklin Farmers Market. Starting January 4th, dogs will no longer be allowed at the market, so please leave your pets at home when visiting the market. Secondly, the market’s winter hours will change. As of January 4th, the Franklin Farmers Market will begin opening at 9am and close at noon. Those hours will remain in place until the start of the spring/summer season at the market.
As we close out this year, the farmers and the vendors at the Franklin Farmers Market want to express their appreciation to everyone who came to the market and made 2013 a record-breaking successful year. We are very grateful for your support of local farms. Thank you!
Tom the Barn Wood Sign Guy’s unique creations
Antlers natural treats for your four-legged friends
Loading up on a great variety of freshly baked breads from Jones Mill Farms