April 5th marks the kickoff of the 2014 Boulder County Farmer’s Market season, and the Boulder community could not be more eager to welcome back all of the awesome vendors!
The BoCo Farmer’s Market was established in 1987 as a way for agricultural producers of Boulder and the surrounding areas to form relationships directly with the consumers who love their produce. It operates every Saturday (8:00 am to 2:00 pm) and Wednesday (from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm) between the beginning of April and the end of November.
Choosing from the best produce available while having quality time with friends and family is a great way to spend a Saturday morning. We also love that the Wednesday evening hours provide an easy place for folks to swing by and grab the best organic ingredients for dinner on their way home from work.
You’ll be hard pressed to stop by all of the vendors in one visit (and there are a total of 15 NEW ones this year in the Boulder & Longmont markets), so definitely plan to go more than a few times during the 2014 season. While you’re there, be sure to check out some of our favorite vendors listed below:
Abbondanza Organic Seeds and Produce
Abbondanza is a word meaning “abundance”, which absolutely suits this farm’s purpose and philosophy. Abbondanza Organic Seeds and Produce is local to Longmont and focuses its efforts on producing a large variety of high quality and consciously grown organic food products. If you’re all stocked up on fruits and veggies, take a peek at which seeds and plant starters they have brought along to share.
Black Cat Farm
If you’ve enjoyed the menu at Black Cat Bistro, you’ll love the produce that you’ll find at the Black Cat Farm booth. This 130 – acre family-operated farm runs on the notion that the most enjoyable food is locally grown and organically cultivated. Black Cat Farm grows about 250 varieties of organic fruits and vegetables, and they harvest produce daily. You can be sure that the tasty treats you find at this booth will be as fresh as they come!
Hazel Dell Mushrooms
This farm is located in Fort Collins and is Colorado’s source for organic exotic mushrooms. Hazel Dell Mushrooms’ method of agriculture adheres to USDA National Standards, and the farm is inspected annually to maintain organic certification. If you’re in the market for some delectable exotic mushrooms, you couldn’t ask for a better quality source. Varieties that are available from Hazel Dell Mushrooms include Shiitake, Oyster, Lion’s Mane, Portabella, Button, and Cinnamon Cap.
Morton’s Organic Orchards
This family-operated orchard is located in Palisade, overlooking the Grand Mesa. Morton’s Organic Orchards produce jams and jellies from the organic fruits grown on the orchard, and they’re sure to have a few jars waiting for you at their booth. Their peaches are an orchard favorite, and since they are picked ripe from the trees, they cannot be shipped. You will only find their peaches at local famer’s markets, such as ours. Freshness like that is definitely worth the trip!
Colorado’s Best Beef
Colorado’s Best Beef is a family-operated beef producer local to Boulder. A primary focus of this ranch is humane treatment of all cattle, so you can feel good about enjoying their hormone-free, steroid-free, antibiotic-free beef. They also use alternative energy sources, such as wind energy and solar energy. If you’re looking for a source of all-natural beef with sustainability in mind, look no further than Colorado’s Best Beef.
The Boulder County Farmer’s Market has something for every palate and preference, so you don’t want to miss this community affair. With convenient hours, a very accessible location, and the longest running season in Colorado, the market should absolutely find its way onto your list of things to do in 2014.