Ah, summer. It’s hot, it’s humid, and it takes all your willpower to open the door and brave the heat to do necessary-but-mundane tasks like grocery shopping.
Luckily, the sticky weather also means it’s time to indulge on sticky-sweet summer fruits, including cantaloupes, figs, watermelons and nectarines. And what’s better, not many varieties of produce will be phasing out this month. Here’s a look at what you’ll find this month at the Red Stick Farmers Market:
New produce
Is a poolside cookout complete without devouring a few slices of cold, juicy watermelon? We don’t think so. As the sun gets warmer, watermelons will begin to make an appearance at the markets, alongside other summer fruits such as blackberries, cantaloupes, figs, nectarines and peaches. Southern peas, butternut squash and okra will also come into play sometime in June.
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Mid-season produce
When the days become truly sweltering, it’s difficult to eat anything that isn’t light and refreshing. Mid-season summer produce typically combines those two qualities, with choices such as bell peppers and blueberries. This Spatula Diaries post from last June showcases five yummy ways to incorporate cucumbers, another abundant summer crop, into your diet. Also be on the lookout for hot peppers, field tomatoes, onions, snap beans and sweet corn at the markets, as they’re all in a perfectly crisp state.
End-season produce
You may still catch glimpses of these crops at the farmers markets in June, but they won’t be in their primes. Leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, mustard greens and collard greens, are nearing the end of their seasons alongside broccoli, radishes, cabbage and lettuce. Strawberries have also reached the end of their typical reign in south Louisiana.
See the full list of vendors at this Saturday’s market here. The list is updated weekly.
The Big River Economic Agricultural Development Alliance, or BREADA, the nonprofit that organizes the Baton Rouge markets, is also hosting the Fresh Fest summer series during June and July. Fresh Fest highlights a different agricultural product each week with thematic cooking demos, tastings and activities. BREADA will host Fresh Fest events each Saturday this summer, beginning with Dairy Day this weekend. Feliciana’s Best Creamery will make homemade ice cream on site with an antique John Deere ice cream maker and Belle Ecorce will offer tastings of its award-winning goat cheese.
The Red Stick Farmers Market summer schedule
Through July, find the farmers market at these locations:
Tuesdays, 8 a.m.-noon
East Baton Rouge Library main branch
7711 Goodwood Blvd.
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Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon
LSU Health Baton Rouge
5437 Airline Highway
Thursdays, 9 a.m.-noon
ExxonMobil YMCA
7717 Howell Blvd.
Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
Main Street Market
Corner of Fifth and Main streets