Santa Fe Farmer's Market (Espanola, Chimayo: work, organic, appointed)

[Towanda]

To all you Santa Fe people:

Tell me about the Santa Fe Farmer's Market.

Have you been? How are the prices? What about the variety of the merchandise there? Is there enough place to park?

I know there is a market on Tuesday and also on Saturday. We are assuming the one on Tuesday would not be as crowded; is that correct?

[Devin Bent]

Prices are high. Organic vegetables in Santa Fe are not going to be a bargain. I usually defend Santa Fe, but this was too much.

Variety disappointed me -- but prices were too high, so it didn't matter.

Parking was fine, but it is a new location, so I don't know.

Incidentally, a new store has opened near Whole Foods offering fruits and vegetables trucked in from Mexico. My son and daughter-in-law tell me that quality is great and prices are inexpensive.

[Towanda]

Hmmmm. Maybe I want to stick to the Friday afternoon Eldorado Farmer's Market then. So far there hasn't been much variety (maybe too early in the season?) and the prices there are high too. But it wouldn't take as much gas to drive across Eldorado as it would to go into Santa Fe.

Hmmmm. Maybe a better bet is to find the place near Whole Foods and check that out.

[Vinegaroon]

I find it to be pretty good. I go and stroll around and drink coffee and sample all the salsas. I buy my Chimayo Chile when it comes around in the fall. Granted I don't buy a whole bunch of stuff, but what I do buy is fresh.

[Devin Bent]

The Pojoaque Farmer's market is also very limited and expensive. I haven't tried Espanola -- it can't be too expensive there. Another possibility is to go to the source -- Dixon, which has a regular market.

[Towanda]

Great idea about Dixon! Nice ride, pretty scenery, and we can check out the produce right at the source!

[Dancingearth]

There is also a CSA that delivers to Eldorado. I've been satisfied with it so far--averages about $22 a week for a good size bag of organic locally grown veggies and fruit. Lots of greens so far--I have to blanche some and freeze for later. I need to go figure out something to make for dinner using collards.

Beneficial Farm

[GregW]

Do the farmers in the region grow strawberries? We have been getting ours (southern New Hampshire) from a local farm for about three weeks. There is nothing like fresh strawberries on vanilla ice cream.

[Dancingearth]

Originally Posted by GregW

Do the farmers in the region grow strawberries? We have been getting ours (southern New Hampshire) from a local farm for about three weeks. There is nothing like fresh strawberries on vanilla ice cream.

I haven't seen any. I've known people to grow some for themselves but I don't think it's something that grows in bulk here (that I know of.) I've been getting fresh apricots in my CSA share.

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by GregW

Do the farmers in the region grow strawberries? We have been getting ours (southern New Hampshire) from a local farm for about three weeks. There is nothing like fresh strawberries on vanilla ice cream.

IDK for sure, but I really haven't seen much around Santa Fe in the way of local farmers -- in the sense of some hard working person(s) who spends full time farming. We have got acequias up here in the Pojoaque, but unless you have a taste for alfalfa, you are not going to find much to eat.

Of course, people have gardens and fruit trees in the Santa Fe area -- but full time farms that produce significant quantities for the market -- I don't think there are many. I know of one in Espanola and I am sure there others. But my impression is that Eastern states have many more farms and farmers.

I think this is why I can buy a handful of small potatoes for $8 at the Pojoaque Farmer's Market.

I'd guess that most of our genuinely fresh vegetables are trucked in from Mexico or California???