By guest blogger Denise Benson

When you think of “organic” what comes to mind? Well I never thought of marshmallows!

by guest blogger Denise Benson, Indiana Green Business and Community Alliance:

ILG invited Guest blogger Drew Tharp to share his thoughts on a market.

Last Thursday, I went to the farmers market at 38th and Meridian, Indianapolis. It was the second market of the season, but after heavy rain and thunderstorms put a (literal) damper on the festivities of the first day, everyone was excited to truly kick off the summer with a gorgeous, sunny day.

I spent most of my time greeting visitors as they entered the market, but I also got to take a walk around the market and talk with some of the vendors myself. It was impossible to walk past a tent without wanting to stop and buy something fresh and delicious – the market offered everything from tomatoes to breads to berries to homemade pretzels and pies…not to mention the nearly irresistible smell of the barbecued meats being grilled at one end of the lot.

ILG has invited guest blogger, Lauren Windle, to share some info about the Abundant Life Farmers’ Market and their upcoming Family Night at the Market:

The first Farmers’ Market of the season held on the grounds of Abundant Life Church, on the corner of 82^nd Street and Hague Road on Indianapolis’ northeast side, 7606 East 82nd Street, proved to be one with nature, albeit a wet one. Thursday afternoon, June 3rd was overcast and rainy, but that didn’t discourage the tents and booths from overflowing with homegrown, locally owned, natural and organic products.

Those retailers in attendance included several Amish farm, livestock and bakery businesses from nearby Wayne County, Cambridge City and Williamsburg, Indiana. Glick’s Kitchen (Williamsburg) boasted pasture-raised jersey beef and pasture-range eggs in addition to a luscious crop of pesticide-free fresh seasonal greens. The Dutch Heritage Market (Wayne County) offered rhubarb, beets, onions, radishes, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, all chemical-free. The Riverside Road Stand, a second generation family business showcased homemade cookies, savory breads, rolls, pies (including hard-to-find sugar-free pies), and an assortment of moist cakes.

Willowfield Lavender Farm at the Indy Winter Farmers Market. © Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp

Indianapolis — The Indy Winter Farmers Market opened its second season with an enthusiastic crowd Nov. 14 in a new location, 901 N. East St.

I bought eggs, potatoes and some yummy breakfast muffins, the latter from Valentine Hill Farm. Also on hand was Meghan McCormick from Green Savings Indy. The biggest temptation was Willowfield Lavender Farm's tables, which scented the area with soaps, lotions and other products made with the aromatic plant. I'll have to go back.

Speaking of going back, the market has a frequent shopper card, which when filled, can be entered into a drawing for a bag of groceries.

Keith Welch (left) and Mike Foley, who farm Fields of Agape, spent their first Saturday selling flax seed and more at the Indy Winter Farmers Market. © Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp

Going to a farmers market is nothing like going to a grocery store. One stat I heard was that when shopping at a farmer's market, we have at least six conversations. At the grocery, we have one, and that's usually at the checkout.

Another stat also heard recently — if we spent $6.30 a week on local foods, we would add millions to the Indiana economy by supporting growers and farmers, their suppliers and workers. Best of all, though, is the deliciously fresh food and other products.

The results are in, and two of Indiana’s Farmers Markets have made the top 10 list according to voters in the Care2 and Local Harvest “Love Your Farmer’s Market” contest.  If you’ve not visited either, it about way more than JUST good fresh market products… these markets are events in themselves. Check them out!

Bloomington Community Farmers' Market

Orange County HomeGrown Farmers Market

Care2 and Local Harvest are holding a contest to see which state has the most loved Farmers Market.Time’s running out to vote (tonight, Thursday 9/17, at midnight) and Indiana has two great contenders!  The beautiful Bloomington Community Farmer’s Market is No. 9 with the amazing Orange Co. HomeGrown Farmers Market in Orleans listed not far behind at No. 11.

Show your support and pride for these fantastic markets…help them get to and stay in the TOP 10 in the nation!  It’s easy to vote, and you don’t have to give away the farm to do. Visit Care2 - Love your Farmers Market.  While over a hundred farmer’s markets across Indiana have been nominated, only three have made the Top 100 in the nation--Broad Ripple’s Market is still hanging in, too.  

If you’ve not been to either the Bloomington or Orange Co Markets, why not give them a vote, and then visit them – or your other favorite market—this weekend!

Indiana Farmers' Market Directory The new Indiana Farmers' Market, U-Pick and Agritourism Directory was released on Tuesday with a flourish at Easley's Winery on College at Ohio in Indy. How apropos to promote Indiana's local markets at one of Indiana's oldest and finest of wineries!  Did you know there are 40 wineries in Indiana? Who needs Napa?!

The Directory is available online at www.in.gov. You may also want to check out the ILG Farmers' Market calendar (this year we separated the Farmers' Markets from other event listings). Click on the "month" tab for easiest reading. If you know of one not yet listed, let me know!

Meredith Easley greeted guests, media and public alike and the Easley team offered their wines, including their popular Reggae wines--red, white and blush. I left the security of my usual dry reds and chose an easy sweeter one, Monument Red, which I think would make a great sipping wine slightly chilled on a warm summer evening!