Starting May 23rd Seasonal Foothill Farmers’ Markets to Open from Granite Bay to Lake Tahoe

Photo Credit: Loren Clark, Foothill Farmers Market Association

AUBURN, Calif., May 16, 2013 – Foothill Farmers’ Markets will be bursting with flavor starting May 23^rd through the summer and into the fall.  This time of year, the region offers 11 seasonal, certified farmers’ markets including the two year-round farmers’ markets—in Old Town Auburn and at the Fountains in Roseville.

“There is nothing like biting into a berry or enjoying a summer salad with heirloom tomatoes from the farmers’ market,” says Carol Arnold, executive director of the Foothill Farmers’ Market Association and PlacerGROWN.  “The flavors of the fruits, vegetables, eggs and meats at our markets are incredible because they are grown and raised by local farmers and sourced directly at the height of ripeness.”

Foothill Farmers’ Markets are open almost every day of the week during this peak season.  The Foothill Farmers’ Market 2013 schedule is as follows:

SATURDAY

• Auburn: Old Town Courthouse Parking Lot, Auburn-Folsom Road at Lincoln Way, OPEN YEAR ROUND, 8:00 a.m. - Noon 
• Rocklin: Blue Oaks, RC Willey at Blue Oaks Center, 6636 Lonetree Boulevard, June 1st - Dec. 14th, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

 SUNDAY

• Granite Bay: Quarry Ponds Town Center, 5550 Douglas Boulevard, June 2nd - Sept. 29th, 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

TUESDAY

• Roseville: Whole Foods Market at the Fountains, Galleria Boulevard & East Roseville Parkway, OPEN YEAR ROUND, 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
• Truckee: Truckee River Regional Park, 10500 Brockway Road off Highway 267, June 11th - Oct. 8th, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
• Kings Beach: Kings Beach SRA, Highway 28 at Bear Street, June 25th - Aug. 27th, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

• Auburn: DeWitt Center, Bell Road & First Street, June 5th - Oct. 30th, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
• Foresthill: Main Street, June 5th - Aug. 28th, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

THURSDAY

• Folsom: Whole Foods Market at the Palladio, East Bidwell Street & Iron Point Road, May 23rd - Aug. 29th, 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
• Tahoe City: Commons Beach, Commons Beach Road & North Lake Boulevard, May 23rd - June 20th, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and , Aug. 29th - Sept. 26th, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
• Tahoe City: Tahoe Lake Elementary School, 375 Grove Street, June 27th – Aug. 22nd, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
• Truckee: Donner Pass near the train station, June 13th - Aug. 22nd, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

For more information on the Foothill Farmers’ Markets 2013 farmers’ market schedule, visit foothillfarmersmarket.com.

ABOUT FOOTHILL FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION:
For 24 years the Foothill Farmers' Market Association has been hosting farmers' markets in Placer, Nevada, and Sacramento counties.  The Foothill Farmers' Markets are certified purveyors of local farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, nuts, honey, eggs and nursery items.  For more information on the Foothill Farmers' Market Association, visit www.foothillfarmersmarket.com.

ABOUT PlacerGROWN:
Supported by Placer County, PlacerGROWN is the information source dedicated to educating residents about the freshest agricultural products the region has to offer.  Through its website, social media channels and other outreach programs, PlacerGROWN connects community members with the farms, orchards, ranches, wineries, nurseries, farmers’ markets and specialty food stores in one of the most diverse growing areas in Northern California. To discover the bounty of agricultural products produced by farmers who call Placer County home, or for more information about PlacerGROWN, visit www.placergrown.org.
 
RELATED LINKS:
Foothill Farmers Market website
Foothill Farmers Market on Facebook
PlacerGROWN website
PlacerGROWN on Facebook
PlacerGROWN on Twitter
PlacerGROWN on Pinterest

No Wednesday Lunch Plans? Follow the Chef!

OK, downtowners, it's only Tuesday, but I am telling you about this ahead of time, so you can make special plans!!



If you are craving a unique lunch experience, and have a few hours to spare on a Wednesday, Follow the Chef!

The chef I am referring to is Michael Tuohy, the head chef at The Grange Restaurant, located adjacent to the Citizen Hotel AND the Wednesday Farmer's Market at Cesar Chavez!!

Every Wednesday, you can accompany Chef Tuohy on an exclusive tour of the Cesar Chavez Farmer's Market. Learn about the slow-food movement as Chef shares his knowledge of California's freshest grown foods, grown locally in and around Sacramento.

After the tour, head back to the Chef's Table in Grange for a three-course meal paired with wine prepared by Chef Tuohy using ingredients found at the market.

It really is a gift and a privilege to have such wonderful ingredients at close range and then turn them into an amazing lunch. I never got the variety of fruits, nuts, or vegetables within 50-100 miles living in Ohio that I do living here in Sacramento.

Here's a rundown of what caught my eye––besides the Chef's t-shirt I could see through the back of his coat that said "Don't Panic, It's Organic!" :)––then I will show you what Chef Tuohy made for us!



Sweetpea bouquets... one of the most lovely things I saw at the market!!



These radishes were HUGE and super inexpensive!!



Please visit/buy from the date lady!! These dates were soooooooo good! The one I tasted was like biting into pecan pie filling!! It tasted like a million calories, yet the nutritionals on them are only 120 calories for 4 or 5 of them!! Eat away. :)




I don't remember the name of this girl, but she was the sweetest... I think she is 4th generation cherry grower and is very passionate about her crops! I was completely charmed by not only her salesmanship, but her knowledge of the product she sells!




Oranges. I love 'em. Especially the big ones like this.



A variety of apples...


We walked back to the restaurant and were seated... then the courses began to come out one by one... showcasing some of what the Chef Tuohy had purchased on the tour...


Spring onion soup with crème fraiche




Asparagus salad with marinated beets




Spring vegetable risotto featuring artichoke, mushrooms, peas and cheddar.




Grange Pastry chef Elaine Baker's strawberry crostada



The meal was paired with a rose and a pinot noir that Chef Tuohy had selected to match the courses perfectly.

So, if you your Wednesday lunch is open, come to Grange and the farmer's market for lunch and for $35, you can tour the market and have a gourmet meal (with wine and dessert included)!

This exclusive tour and lunch will be offered to no more than 15 people each Wednesday, so to reserve your market tour and lunch call (916) 492-4450.