You know that something special is going on at the Española Farmers Market!

"Beans are a magical fruit." A friend of the market said this at a recent dinner party with friends and family members. "You can open a can of beans and they taste like cardboard. But the way my grandmother makes them brings a hush to the meal when everyone passes the beans." Beans aren't an afterthought at the Española Farmers Market. Those of us making special recipe books for the upcoming holiday season will have at least one bean recipe. It's the spices and the contents that make beans a favorite of the guests at your table. Make sure you track down the winners of the biggest and best veggies grown in Northern New Mexico. You'll be glad you did. Buy their produce. Speak directly to the growers. They set up their sales tables with a lot of love. The Española Farmers Market is open through the end of October. Stay tuned for weekly messages and reminders from our market.

What happens after the 2022 market season closes? We huddle to talk about plans for 2023...

The members of our board and special "others" get together after the market closes, and we share our joys and accomplishments. We speak about what went well and what needs to be changed. We share stories. We thank all of the volunteers and members of our board who get together and slap each other on the back...not so it hurts, but this is a ritual that reminds us of another year of accomplishments, the results of special grants and collaborations with community groups. We remember when we open and what happens after we close. We send our sympathies to those families who have lost a friend or family member during the past seaspn. We love the opportunity to get together. We remember our past celebrations over heritage chiles, our sharing of local recipes, our market aprons, the news about purchasing deals, the free books for young people, the chats we have with new and old friends, the live traditional music, the special programs for young people, our free chile roastings, and so much more.

What do you have on your "to do" list that involves the Española Farmers Market?

1. A cookbook of your favorite recipes with produce from the market to give as a gift in upcoming holidays 2. A book of stories about the market to gift friends and relatives, plus what you have heard or experienced growing up in Northern New Mexico 3. A special meal using fresh fruit and produce from the market 4. A evening of song and traditional music with pieces you have heard sung at the Española Farmers Market BLASTS FROM THE PAST—

5. Remembering the year, 2019, when we won a statewide award for the best market in New Mexico The Española Farmers Market is going strong because we care, and we love terrific locally-grown fruit and produce. We accept WIC, Senior WIIC, EBT (SNAP) and fresh RX as well as cash money. This season are offering Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) for SNAP customers. Each time you swipe your SNAP card, you will get an equal amount of bonus DUFB for purchasing fruits and vegetables.

Labor Day at the Española Farmers Market is a special harvest day!

Yes, we will be open for a free chile roasting on Labor Day. Yes, it is perfect date to celebrate the northern New Mexico harvest. Yes, we will be grateful about how we have all been working together to make possible one of the best secrets of the region. Fresh fruit and produce at fair prices. The market is open Mondays from 9 am to 2 pm. Please adjust your calendars. Join us! Spread the word while keeping our secret. And come for the free chile roasting from 9 am to 2 pm on Labor Day.