FINLEY — The Lake County Farmers” Finest certified farmers” market opens for the 2012 season at Steele Wines on Saturday.
The market will be open from 8:30 a.m. to noon each Saturday, from the first Saturday in May through the last Saturday in October. Steele Wines is located at 4350 Thomas Drive in Finley, off Highway 29.
According to publicist Cornelia Sieber-Davis, the grounds at Steele Wines provide a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy music by Lake County songwriters such as David Ryan, who is playing on opening day, while visiting the market booths and reconnecting with friends.
Market wares include olive oil, organic bread, eggs and honey, which are all available locally year-round, to vegetable starts, Asian greens, lettuce, delicate dandelion greens, strawberries, broccoli, baby carrots, leek, chives, goat cheese, fresh herbs, onions, snap peas, green garlic, landscape and fig plants, blueberries and perhaps cherries.
Javier Salmon from Yerba Santa Goat Dairy, said, “The goats had a very good crop of babies and the milk has been fresh and delicious, therefore the cheese is amazing.”
According to Sieber-Davis, as spring ends and summer begins, more and more produce will be available. The market will also feature products from Lake County artists and crafters ? from art made with nature to fine jewelry.
Beginning in June, Lake County Farmers” Finest will open its Wednesday evening market, which will run through September at Library Park, 200 Park St. in Lakeport.
Thanks to several grants to assist local families in purchasing fresh, wholesome and locally grown produce directly from farmers, Lake County Farmers” Finest will accept the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at both market locations. Customers may swipe their electronic benefit transfer cards at the information booth in exchange for tokens to be spent at the market on all fresh food items and food plants.
For more information about Lake County Farmers” Finest and its certified farmers” markets, visit www.lakecountyfarmersfinest.org.
