The long winter wait is over: the farmers markets are beginning to reopen.
The Old Cheney Road Farmers Market is the first, kicking off its season this Sunday. It will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays through Oct. 29 in the parking lot of the strip mall at 56th Street and Old Cheney Road.
The Old Cheney Market has a new manager in Sarah Smith and several new produce and meat vendors, including:
* Doc’s Holiday Healthy Farms will bring eggs, chicken, duck and pork from its farm in Adams.
* Edible Source of Walton will feature seasonal produce and tilapia. Be sure to ask how the tilapia is raised.
* Winchester Farms from Gibbon will also have pork and eggs in addition to fresh produce.
* Small Starts of Lincoln and Theilen Produce of Schuyler round out the list. Each will bring their seasonal produce.
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The new vendors join the more than 50 venerable vendors who’ve been at Old Cheney for years. All of the vendors encourage you to stop, chat and ask how they’ve raised the food you’re about to buy and eat. If you’re a bit unsure of how to prepare a vegetable you’ve never tried, they’ll be happy to share their secrets.
The cooking demonstrations this summer are going to showcase the talents of local Chef Nazim Khan, executive chef at Bryan Medical Center. Partnering with Open Harvest, Khan will prepare three meals highlighting the produce of the season, and talking about how what we eat affects our overall health.
The Old Cheney Market will once again accept and match SNAP dollars for fruits and vegetables, and together with the Department of Agriculture and the County Extension office, the market will introduce a new program called Double Up Food Bucks. Visit the market information booth for details and assistance with this new program.
Frequent shopper cards are also available at the market information booth. The money spent on fresh, locally grown produce from the market translates into loyalty rewards of tokens, raffles and giveaways.
The following is a rundown of other Lincoln markets:
Haymarket Farmers Market
When: 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, May 6 through Oct. 14.
What: Lincoln’s inaugural farmers market marks its 32nd year. Most of last year’s vendors are returning, so there’ll be more than 175 vendors with plants, produce and arts & crafts at booths between Seventh and Eighth streets, bordered by P and Q streets. As you stroll through the market, stop by Iron Horse Park to hear live music, too.
Fallbrook Farmers Market
When: 5-7 p.m. Thursdays, June 22 through Aug. 10.
What: With easy to access from Nebraska 34 and North First Street, the Fallbrook Farmers Market also has a new manager, Brande’ Payne. Last year, the Kiwanis Club bought the Fallbrook Farmers Market and surveyed customers and vendors, asking what works best for their mutual needs and benefit.
After considering the feedback it had received, the Kiwanis and the market decided to condense the market and really highlight the seasonal produce available from late June through early August.
Each market will include a bounce house, music and games and activities for children. On July 27, the market will remain open until 8 p.m. for the Family Fun Festival, featuring the String Beans.
Fallbrook will accept SNAP dollars and employ its Market Match program. It, too, will feature the pilot program of Double Up Food Bucks. Visit the information booth for assistance with either program.
Other area markets
Several other vendors have sought information about permits from the City of Lincoln’s Office of Environmental Public Health for markets, including the University Place Market (48th and Leighton), the F Street Market (1302 F St.) and the College View area. None have yet turned in an application for a permit, though. Watch for information in the coming weeks on these additional area farmers markets.