Alison O’Connor
Colorado State University Extension Horticulture Agent in Larimer County
May 16, 2015
When spring arrives, you know that summer is not far behind. Spring also means that the local farmers’ markets start selling crisp greens, vegetable starts and broccoli, which lead to sweet peaches, crunchy apples and plentiful potatoes. Farmers’ markets promote community involvement, healthy eating practices and offer a great variety of products. Plus, produce is at its peak of freshness. Not to mention all the other wonderful goodies you can take home, like salsa, sauces, bread, eggs, pastries, milk, dog treats, wine, cheese and fresh flowers.
The 40th season for the Larimer County Farmers’ Market kicks off in Old Town Fort Collins (200 W. Oak Street, Larimer County Courthouse) on Saturday, May 16. The market will be open 8am to noon each Saturday through October 24. Unique features of the market are that it’s run through the CSU Extension Office in Larimer County and Master Gardener volunteers handle day-to-day operations of the market. And they are also on hand each week to answer your gardening questions. Thinking of canning or preserving produce this summer? Master Food Safety Advisors, another CSU Extension volunteer program, are available to help you preserve food safely. The LCFM is also a grower’s only market, so all vendors grow, make or produce what they sell. Continuing in 2015, the LCFM will match up to $10 week/customer in SNAP (food stamp) benefits. If you forget to bring cash or checks, the market can swipe your credit card for Market Bucks.
Fortunately, for those who live outside of Fort Collins or travel during the week, Larimer County has several markets at which to shop, so there’s likely one close to home (or work). Most markets also accept SNAP benefits—these are marked with an *:
Tuesdays
Loveland Farmers’ Market*
May 5 to October 27
11am-3pm
North Garfield and Orchard
www.lovelandfm.com
Wednesdays
Fort Collins Farmers’ Market*
June 19 to October 28
11am-3pm
Harmony and Lemay
www.fortcollinsfm.com
Thursdays
Estes Valley Farmers’ Market
June 4 to September 24
8am-1pm
250 Park Lane (Bond Park)
Wellington Farmers’ Market*
June 4 to October 22
4pm-8pm
3815 Harrison Avenue (Centennial Park)
www.wellingtonfarmersmarket.org
Saturdays
Berthoud Farmers and Fleas Tailgate
June 27 to September 26
9am-1pm
1201 Lake Avenue
www.berthoudlocal.org
Drake Road Farmers’ Market*
April 18 to September 26
10am-1pm
802 W. Drake Road
www.drakeroadfarmersmarket.com
Larimer County Farmers’ Market*
May 16 to October 24
8am-noon
200 W. Oak Street (Larimer County Courthouse)
www.larimercountyfarmersmarket.org
Sundays
City of Loveland Farmers’ Market*
June 28 to September 15
9am-1:30pm
700 S. Railroad Avenue
www.cityofloveland.org
Fort Collins Farmers’ Market*
May 3 to November 15
11am-3pm
Harmony and Lemay
www.fortcollinsfm.com
Alison O’Connor is the horticulture agent for CSU Extension in Larimer County.
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Larimer County is a county-based outreach of Colorado State University Extension providing information you can trust to deal with current issues in agriculture, horticulture, nutrition and food safety, 4-H, small acreage, money management and parenting. For more information about CSU Extension in Larimer County, call (970) 498-6000 or visit www.larimer.org/ext
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Looking for additional gardening information? Check out the CSU Extension Horticulture Agent blog at www.csuhort.blogspot.com for timely updates about gardening around the state.
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Visit PlantTalk Colorado ™ for fast answers to your gardening questions! www.planttalk.org PlantTalk is a cooperation between Colorado State University Extension, GreenCo and Denver Botanic Gardens.
