Monday, April 13, 2009
Bites Live From the West Coast: Stabert Has a Farmers' Market-gasm
Posted by Lee Stabert on Mon, Apr 13, 2009 at 1:34 PM
So, remember that whole second-city malaise thing? Well, now I have confirmed the top spot on my wish list: Northern California Sunday Farmers' Market.
I was driving in the car with my sister when her husband called, asking if we could pick up some fruit and some of the aforementioned smoked salmon from the Marin Farmers' Market on our way home. As my sister turned to ask me if I would mind I was already bouncing up and down in my seat like an infant (there may have been some drool involved).
We pulled up to a football field-sized area and immediately hit the fish stall where they were barbecuing oysters to order and selling sea urchins the size softballs and crabs the size of footballs. They also had tables and tables of whole fish and fillets. My sister picked up some beautiful trout for her family and we grabbed some wood-smoked salmon (shit tastes like magic).
Then we spent about half-an-hour wandering the stalls--baby artichokes and artisan cheese and 20 different kinds of greens, oh my! We stopped by her avocado guy and her strawberry guy. We also passed a bunch of food vendors selling everything from vegetarian dim sum to Belgian waffles to whole rotisserie chickens. I could have spent my whole life there.
So, here's the plan: We recruit a team of scientists to alter the climate in a small section of Tennessee, creating a microclimate perfectly designed to produce beautiful, varied produce year-round. Then we import some pretentious bastards (they do know their food) from the West Coast to start the movement. Let's get moving!
Comments (6)
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My trip to Oregon in 06 was like this, too. Cheese! Salmon! Garlic tuna in cans! Fresh mint! More cheese! Salmon jerky! Baby beets! It's about the coast and the climate.
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My biggest gripe about the Nashville Farmer's Market is the lack of organic and local meat choices. As far as I know West Wind farms, which is at the once a week organic farmer's market in East Nashville are the only farmers selling local/regionally raised meat products at an actual market in Nashville. The last few years I have not been able to find meat at the Nashville Farmer's market.
Does anyone know if there are any farmers selling meat at the NFM (or elsewhere) now?
There is a farm that sells sustainable meat at the East Nashville Farmer's market on Wednesdays during the Spring/Summer. Anyone know the name?
All Evolve,
There have been/are a few choices now at NFM:
Walnut Hills Farm (grassfed dry aged beef)
Emerald Glen Farm(pasture raised chicken, pork, beef)
Chigger Ridge Ranch (lamb, rabbit)
Barbour farms (pork)
Lee,
I do know a few home fish smokers out in Washington, I can hook you up with the good smoked salmon if you're interested. There are also quite a few repuable fish sellers in Seattle and Alaska who sell excellent smoked salmon online.
-Ryan (from bowling league)
Hey Guys, FYI, there are a couple of vendors at the n'ville farmer's market who sell locally grown, pastured, sustainable meats and animal products. Check out emerald glen farms and walnut hills farm at the market. Weldon, at emerald glen, has modeled his family farm after joel salatin's polyface farm made famous for outstanding yields, sustainability, and a favorable couple of chapters in Michael Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma. The market website details these farms...http://nashvillefarmersmarket.org/.
Holla.
