One of the bummers of the Summer coming to an end is that the West Tisbury Farmer’s Market is no longer around to enrich our Saturday mornings. However, we now have the West Tisbury Winter Farmer’s Market at the Ag Hall.
It’s an abundance of Island grown meat, produce and other goods. The Ag Hall is transformed into a room full of color and Island favorites. There are many familiar faces, like Little Rock Farm with their baked goods and now soups for the chillier days.
Who doesn’t want a little Vineyard Sunshine – Granola that is. This is a perfect place to grab a little snack after searching for the perfect foods for upcoming meals.
The Season’s Harvest
There are some beloved Island farms there like Morning Glory, Whippoorwill, Blackwater, and Ghost Island Farm. The farms have the most beautiful selection of lettuces, so green and fresh. Of course there are tons of tubers to choose from, like baby turnips, and a number of different types of potatoes.
There’s bok choy, radishes, and peppers (including hot peppers) a plenty, and fresh cut herbs, all just begging to be taken home and made into something amazing. No shortage of inspiration here.
The Place to Get More Than Vegetables
Ok, I was so happy to see so many options for meat at the Winter Farmer’s Market. The GOOD Farm was there with their homemade breakfast sausages. Apparently their bratwurst is the best around, according to my friend Erik who was stocking up.
You could also order your fresh turkey for Thanksgiving there, which you might want to do, since fresh Island raised turkey’s are selling out.
The FARM Institute was there with pork, lamb, chicken and beef with all sorts of choices. They too have turkeys still available for Thanksgiving, but not a lot left either.
Blackwater Farm had Island raised meat too, and of course eggs. I had to get a couple dozen while I was there because nothing is better than fresh, farm eggs. The package greens for salad looked so good.
More Than Food
Perhaps you are not just looking for fresh eats. There were a number of other vendors there. You could get your chocolate fill with Enchanted Chocolates. Love their Sand Bar and mustache chocolate pops. If you are not familiar with Enchanted Chocolates, check out New Moon Magick Enchanted Chocolates Helps Save Christmas.
Breezy Pines Farm is there with all sorts of great skin and bath products. You wouldn’t believe the selection of amazing lip balms there, like Aloe and Orange lip balm or Vanilla Bean Lip Bliss (we could all use a little bliss). With the cooler weather, a good lip balm is imperative.
New Lane Sundries has a large assortment of sundries. How about their Zinfandel Chili Jam which is pretty good for sprucing up a baked brie appetizer. We are guilty of making this quick fix appetizer for a potluck or two. You can use this jam to add a local component.
A little treat I found there was Kristy’s Catnip. If you have a cat, it will love this catnip. I have been buying it for years at Good Dog Goods in Oak Bluffs, but I loved getting it here at The GOOD Farm’s table since it’s made at the farm.
It is the best ever. Your choice of mice or a big rat will make your cat beyond happy. Stock up on these babies for holiday gifts for your feline friends. I had to get my cat Wyeth a new one. Trust me on this.
Since it’s the Island, naturally there’s music there. The Cattle Drivers were there. After enjoying a song or two, don’t forget to give them a couple of bucks. They are there playing for the love of music and the community. So, tips are greatly appreciated.
The best things about the Winter Farmer’s Market are the same as the Summer’s. You get great Island grown or made things, a bite to eat, and you run into a number of friends.
It’s the Saturday morning hotspot during the off-season. Come hungry and bring a bag to fill with yummy things. You might even find a couple things as gifts for people for holidays.
Haven’t been yet? Not to worry, you still have time. The West Tisbury Winter Farmer’s Market is open from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on a number of Saturdays this Fall and Winter. The remaining dates are November 23rd, December 7th, December 21st, and December 28th.
Thanks for reading On Point. Happy hunting at the West Tisbury Winter Farmer’s Market. Please don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook, on follow us on Twitter, Linked In, Google+, Pinterest and YouTube.