Bloomington Farmer's Market
There are many things to love about Bloomington, and here is a biggie: the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market. It's one of the few growers-only markets around, which means you're buying your food directly from the people who grow, raise, or make it.
I love the food scene here. It's very accessible. The local celebrity chefs hang out and know the locals, are friends with the farmers, and put on lots of cool events to showcase local foods. For example, the Farmers' Market has farm tours. We're planning to go to the Summer Tour on July 17th, which will feature a tour of three farms: an organic farm, a honey farm, and a flower farm. The day ends with a farmhouse dinner cooked by two local chefs.
The market is different from the California markets in a few key ways. First, and sadly, there isn't as much produce. I couldn't find any avocados (sniff!) and the selection of stone fruit and veggies was limited. However, there is a much better selection of herbs, flowers, and honey.
Second, there were people selling maple syrup that they harvested themselves from a forest just outside of Bloomington!
Third, there are far more dairy products offered: milk, yogurt, and lots and lots of cheese. And...they sell unpasteurized cheese! The dairies get around the pasteurization laws by selling it with a label that it's not for human consumption (wink, wink). We had a hilarious conversation with the lovely folks at Traderspoint Creamery who told us that, if we were to make a cup of coffee...for our dog, for example...our dog would REALLY enjoy the unpasteurized milk in it. We took the hint and bought some, and our dog...I mean, WE...really enjoyed it.
Fourth, there are WAY more meat products offered, from local organic farms. We bought sausages and some awesome grass-fed ribeye steaks from one local ranch, and saw tons more.
Fifth--and this is way crazy to me--there are a ton of AMISH FARMERS who sell stuff at the market. Yes, AMISH FARMERS!!! Aren't you jealous that your farmers' market doesn't have the same level of country charm? I wanted to take a picture so bad but refrained because I thought they would know I just wanted to take a picture of them because they're Amish...which is only 90% true.
Anyway, I bought cheese from a really cute little Amish girl wearing a calico dress and a BONNET (I'm not making this up) named Priscilla. To quote Maryn's friend Jessica: when an Amish girl in a bonnet asks you to buy cheese, what can you say except "F*ck yeah!"
The market even sells local organic roasted coffee. Neat!
The market is downtown and super family friendly. There are balloons for all the kids, information booths for all the local neighborhood associations and parks, and a fountain to splash in:
And let's discuss the dairies a bit more, shall we? I introduced myself to the folks at Traderspoint Creamery and Capriole Farms and have high hopes of becoming BFFs with each of them. Both places have connections to the Bay Area's famed Cowgirl Creamery. The head cheesemaker at Trader's Point trained with them, and the lovely folks at Capriole Farms sell their goat cheese at the Cowgirl Creamery's Ferry Building storefront in San Francisco.
Can we talk a bit more about how fabulous these dairies are? First, take a look at the awesome Dwell-worthy architecture on the main Traderspoint Creamery website. Then, check out the weekly farmers' market that they host each Friday night on their grounds...complete with dinner! Then check out their awesome--and infinitely chic--Loft Restaurant (Sunday brunches, anyone!?) and Dairy Bar, serving ice cream and milkshakes. Um, amazing?
Traderspoint products are made from 100% grassfed cows and their fromage blanc. Is. Seriously. Addictive.
Capriole Goat Cheeses are creamy and delicious, and made from their 55 goats. We met the owner, Judy Schad, who was very taken with Saya.
Her story and commitment to sustainable farming is so inspiring! Check out her amazing spread:
I was particularly taken with her recommendation of pairing wasabi goat cheese with strawberries. I love when strange-sounding combinations result in surprising, fresh, and fun flavors. Yay for Capriole Farms!
P.S. The Piper's Pyramide cheese is to die for. If you can find it, you must buy it.
P.P.S. Daphna's revision reward = a Capriole gift basket. Mmm hmm.
I love the food scene here. It's very accessible. The local celebrity chefs hang out and know the locals, are friends with the farmers, and put on lots of cool events to showcase local foods. For example, the Farmers' Market has farm tours. We're planning to go to the Summer Tour on July 17th, which will feature a tour of three farms: an organic farm, a honey farm, and a flower farm. The day ends with a farmhouse dinner cooked by two local chefs.
The market is different from the California markets in a few key ways. First, and sadly, there isn't as much produce. I couldn't find any avocados (sniff!) and the selection of stone fruit and veggies was limited. However, there is a much better selection of herbs, flowers, and honey.
Second, there were people selling maple syrup that they harvested themselves from a forest just outside of Bloomington!
Third, there are far more dairy products offered: milk, yogurt, and lots and lots of cheese. And...they sell unpasteurized cheese! The dairies get around the pasteurization laws by selling it with a label that it's not for human consumption (wink, wink). We had a hilarious conversation with the lovely folks at Traderspoint Creamery who told us that, if we were to make a cup of coffee...for our dog, for example...our dog would REALLY enjoy the unpasteurized milk in it. We took the hint and bought some, and our dog...I mean, WE...really enjoyed it.
Fourth, there are WAY more meat products offered, from local organic farms. We bought sausages and some awesome grass-fed ribeye steaks from one local ranch, and saw tons more.
Fifth--and this is way crazy to me--there are a ton of AMISH FARMERS who sell stuff at the market. Yes, AMISH FARMERS!!! Aren't you jealous that your farmers' market doesn't have the same level of country charm? I wanted to take a picture so bad but refrained because I thought they would know I just wanted to take a picture of them because they're Amish...which is only 90% true.
Anyway, I bought cheese from a really cute little Amish girl wearing a calico dress and a BONNET (I'm not making this up) named Priscilla. To quote Maryn's friend Jessica: when an Amish girl in a bonnet asks you to buy cheese, what can you say except "F*ck yeah!"
The market even sells local organic roasted coffee. Neat!
The market is downtown and super family friendly. There are balloons for all the kids, information booths for all the local neighborhood associations and parks, and a fountain to splash in:
And let's discuss the dairies a bit more, shall we? I introduced myself to the folks at Traderspoint Creamery and Capriole Farms and have high hopes of becoming BFFs with each of them. Both places have connections to the Bay Area's famed Cowgirl Creamery. The head cheesemaker at Trader's Point trained with them, and the lovely folks at Capriole Farms sell their goat cheese at the Cowgirl Creamery's Ferry Building storefront in San Francisco.
Can we talk a bit more about how fabulous these dairies are? First, take a look at the awesome Dwell-worthy architecture on the main Traderspoint Creamery website. Then, check out the weekly farmers' market that they host each Friday night on their grounds...complete with dinner! Then check out their awesome--and infinitely chic--Loft Restaurant (Sunday brunches, anyone!?) and Dairy Bar, serving ice cream and milkshakes. Um, amazing?
Traderspoint products are made from 100% grassfed cows and their fromage blanc. Is. Seriously. Addictive.
Capriole Goat Cheeses are creamy and delicious, and made from their 55 goats. We met the owner, Judy Schad, who was very taken with Saya.
Her story and commitment to sustainable farming is so inspiring! Check out her amazing spread:
I was particularly taken with her recommendation of pairing wasabi goat cheese with strawberries. I love when strange-sounding combinations result in surprising, fresh, and fun flavors. Yay for Capriole Farms!P.S. The Piper's Pyramide cheese is to die for. If you can find it, you must buy it.
P.P.S. Daphna's revision reward = a Capriole gift basket. Mmm hmm.
