Farmers Market Reviews

So I'm going to try something new. There are a lot of vendors selling different food products at the Saturday market, under the bridge.  I was wondering has anyone bought anything?  If so what did you think?

I'll go first:

Life Line Farms, Cheese Curds - They are by far the best cheese curds I have ever had.  Last week I tried the pepper jack ones - very good.  Noticed they were selling brie, didn't buy some, but I did sample it.  Very creamy and smooth.  I know that you can also buy their cheese at Pattee Creek Market, and Orange Street Food Farm.

We love the cheese curds to! & the butter ends & pieces are a good value.

I also find the hanging pots of herbs to be wonderful & so cheap that I do not think I could buy the supplies to make one for what I paid.

We also got a big pot (recycled pressed paper pot) of lettuce. It has also been wonderful & long lasting.....plus it came with a free caterpillar!, a sure sign that it is indeed organic. My daughter is thrilled by the cute caterpillar.

I would tell you who I got these things from but there was no sign in from of the booth. I do know the farmer is from the Bitterroot.

D

About The Clark Fork River Market

The Clark Fork River Market provides a lively and scenic setting for buying locally-produced fruits and vegetables, meats, poultry, fish, organic dairy products, plants, flowers, fresh handcrafted pastas, baked goods, honey, salsa, jams and jellies, wool goods and other wares from area farmers, ranchers and chefs. Breakfast, lunch, espresso, coffee, tea and cold drinks are also available, along with plenty of seating for customers who want to relax and enjoy the festive market atmosphere.  Live music adds to the festivities from 10am to 12ish.

MORE HERE http://www.clarkforkrivermarket.com/

My favorite thing to get at the Missoula Farmer's Market is the Dixon melons which will be showing up late September.  They are so good you'll never want to eat a regular old cantaloupe ever again.

I buy most of my generic veggies from the Hmong people.  They really grow good stuff and don't use fertilizers to my knowledge.  They use old school techniques passed down from older generations and it's all family run.  They work very, very hard also so I love supporting them.

The melons are here! I got a big one last weekend from the market by the train tracks. (Does anyone know what this market is called?) The melon was a species I hadn't tried before--I believe it's called Sinful. It was just delicious.

Wow the melons are there!!??  I better try to make some room on the menu for those!  I can fill myself up easily with a super small one.  Thanks for letting us know, I usually set aside a melon fund for mid october but if they're already there, I'm a happy camper haha!

I love the house roasted hot cocoa at the river market. Can't remember the name of the business, but they are always located just at the bottom of the stairs. The chocolate almond croissants from their neighbors across the sidewalk are possibly the best I've ever tasted. Of course, both of these things sell out quickly, so it's best to get there early. If it gets to be ten o'clock, the cocoa and chocolate croissants are probably gone!

Other than that, I like that Lifeline has so many different varieties and I can buy something new each week. I did have trouble with keeping the butter fresh for very long (and I go through butter pretty quickly). Was that just my fridge or has anyone else had the same problem? Should I try to freeze it?

I don't like comparisons but in San Diego, the farmers markets have much more of a street fair atmosphere.  There's bouncy houses, pony rides, tons of different food stalls (many organic ones), dancing, music and much more.  I wish a little more would be going on there once in a while!

I'll check out that cocoa stand this weekend, sounds great!

There's a woman at the Clark Fork Market who sells amazing chips, salsa and ceviche (She's near the end of the row closest to the river). I get the ceviche and take it home and add chopped cabbage, lime juice, an avocado and extra tomatoes to stretch it a bit farther and have enough to share!

Really, Robert? I always think Missoula's markets have a pretty great atmotsphere for a city this size. Musicians and street performers included. Not to say there isn't always room for improvement. What else do yout think they should add? It seems like there used to be more tables geared toward children. That might be a nice thing to get back, but maybe they left because they weren't making enough money. ?