NIBBLES

In summer, the vegetable, fruit and flower offerings blossom as the list of farmers grows to more than 50. In August, cantaloupe, corn and peaches always hog the spotlight.

“I’m a big fan of the winter online market because there are certain special foods we have in Colorado that don’t always get prime billing, like dried heirloom beans. They are so delicious and they are a dryland crop requiring less water to grow well here,” Sehlke says.

Anyone who shops at farmers markets and stands knows that the price tag there is generally higher than it is at mainstream markets. For some shoppers, the higher quality and great flavor make it worthwhile.

“It reflects the cost of keeping those farmers working in our community,” Sehlke says.

It’s worth it because it’s not anonymous food — it’s grown in the community by locals. Your money stays here and isn’t shipped off to the corporate home office in another state.

The market in all its forms makes it easier for local farmers to compete and the online store is a financial lifeline for farmers and culinary artisans during the offseason when they don’t have an affordable sales outlet.

Looking ahead, the in-person Boulder County Farmers Market in Boulder and Longmont will open on April 1 with some new young farmers and new, diverse food court offerings, Sehlke says.

TASTE OF THE WEEK: M-M-MUFFALETTA

Louisville’s coffee culture received a boost with the opening of Lucca Coffee & Eatery, 765 E. South Boulder Road. The sunny Europeanstyle cafe features espresso drinks, chai, tea and a limited but tasty menu. On a recent visit we enjoyed a good muffaletta, a crispy bun loaded with ham, soppressata and fontina cheese with lots of olive salad, as well as house-baked artichoke focaccia loaded with mozzarella, garlic and pesto. For sweets, a densely satisfying buttery blondie bar with chocolate chips.

LOCAL FOOD NEWS: NEW PLACES TO EAT

● The Old Barrel Tea Company is open at 1647 Pearl St., Boulder.

● Pupusas 2 is dishing Salvadoran fare at 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, former site of Yellowbelly Chicken.

● Coming soon: Heaven Artisan Creamery, 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder; Postino WineCafe, 1468 Pearl St., Boulder; Avant Garden Bistro, 1002 Walnut St., Boulder; and Shopey’s Pizza, 585 E. South Boulder Road, Louisville

● Plan ahead: The inaugural Colorado Bock Festival, March 4, Paonia, paoniaunitedbrew.com

WORDS TO CHEW ON: GUILT FOR DINNER

“In America, we feel guilty about eating. We call a cake ‘sinfully delicious.’ We’re so bombarded with processed foods we’ve gotten away from the pleasure of food.” —Patricia

Wells

John Lehndorff hosts Radio Nibbles Thursdays on KGNU, (88.5 FM, 1390 AM, 99.1 FM in Denver, and kgnu.org).