Fall is in the air at the Olympia Farmers Market. The apples are crisp, and hearty vegetables are abundant. The arts and crafts are lovely and often useful. The Famers Market evolves with the seasons, and adventure will find you as you walk the aisles. Grab a sweater and see what awaits you.
Fresh Produces with Fall Delights at Olympia Farmers Market
We have entered the time of year when the comforts of soups and stews are welcome. You can pick from a rainbow of root vegetables and greens that are garden fresh. As well as tasting great, fall and winter produce work inside your body to reduce oxidative stress and help prevent chronic diseases.
Root vegetables provide many flavors with distinct nutrients and health benefits. The festive pumpkin can begin as a table decoration and end up in your soup or pie. Don’t forget to dry the seeds and bake for a satisfying, nutty snack.
Onions are high in vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber, plus they are great raw, baked or grilled. Turnips and carrots are versatile and add fiber, manganese, potassium and vitamin C. Not familiar with turnips? You can swap them for potatoes in nearly any recipe. Speaking of potatoes, wash, cook, and eat them, skins and all: You can boil, bake, mash, smash, fry and about any way else you want to cook them. Radishes are also easy to use in a salad or pop extras into your soup.
Beets are a super nutritious vegetable that I have found are worthy to eat at both ends: the bulb as well as the greens. Use the leafy ends in your smoothies for a slightly sweet taste. Roast the bulbs for salads or toss a few in your stew. If you are roasting any of the root vegetables, add a few garlic bulbs. Garlic has medicinal properties. When using raw, allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes after cutting to allow it to release the enzyme called alliinase, that is antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal.
Mushrooms are another way to vary your menus. They add savory textures and flavors, are quick to cook and can be used in place of meat. There are also greens, microgreens and greenhouse-grown salad mixes. The choices are quite varied from the summer and delicious in their own ways.
We are lucky to live in a more temperate climate where our growing season is expansive and brings an array of tasty food. The bounty of autumn is pleasing to the eyes and stomach. Vendors can make suggestions for use if you are stumped. The Olympia Farmers Market also offers fresh meats and cheeses. You can also take sauerkraut and pickles home.
Artists, Crafters and Other Skilled Artisans at the Olympia Farmers Market
The arts, crafts, jewelry and body products are always fun and interesting to check out. Rowan Green, fiber artist, has a table displaying his cozy cashmere hats, gloves and other snuggly items. His products are crafted upcycled, recycled and donated cashmere pieces from thrift store finds and donations. He uses a 45-year-old sewing machine his mother used to use for parts of the sewing. Appliques are hand-stitched on the fingerless gloves and hats. One hat even glows in the dark! People delight in touching the amazingly soft hats and gloves.
“I love how tactile everything is. The things I make are versatile and practical. It’s functional art and made sustainably,” says Rowan. Skeins of hand-dyed yarn are for sale, too. Custom orders are possible before the holiday rush. When not at the Market, you can find Rowan at Arbutus Folk School teaching hand spinning.
Mark your Calendar for Olympia Famers Market’s Harvest Celebration on October 26
When you visit on Saturday, October 26, 2024, you will find extra activities like apple tasting, cooking demonstrations, fall-themed activities, crafts, and vendor trick-or-treat. It will be fun for all ages. Bring your children and meet your friends.
One-Stop Shopping for Food, Gifts and Lunch
The Olympia Farmers Market is truly a treasure for buying local whether it’s food for your family, gifts or essentials like bread and soap. The crafts are produced from the creative minds and hands of people who live in our community.
There’s always free parking on north side of the Olympia Farmers Market. Come when you are hungry or thirsty and choose from fresh produce and ready-made meals. There’s a line-up of eateries with international flair like burritos, soba, wurst and gyros. Eat your meal under cover sitting at one of the picnic tables and be entertained by the performers on stage. Sip a hot chocolate or cup of coffee. Remember to bring your reusable grocery bags and your coat. Read about news with the Olympia Farmers Market newsletter. You will find information on the Market’s Instagram and Facebook locations.
The Olympia Farmers Market is open Thursday through Sunday through October 27, 2024. Beginning Saturday, November 2, the Market is open on Saturdays and Sundays for the Holiday Market season.
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