Farmers’ Markets Flourish in Indy

By Joan Jacobs

Grab your reusable tote and follow your appetite: Farmers’ market season is in full swing. Here’s a look at a few standout farmers’ markets, plus a directory of markets in the area to help you find one near you.

Carmel Farmers’ Market

This market has found a new location on the grounds of Center Green at the elegant Palladium, where various music groups entertain the market’s shoppers at the outdoor amphitheater.

Arrive hungry: Offerings include Liege Belgian waffles made from yeast dough and European pearl sugar; La Mie Emilie’s crepes smothered in fresh berries, whipped cream and chocolate syrup; mouthwatering cinnamon rolls from Becky’s Village Bakery and a wide variety of desserts from Lisa’s Pie Shop. Standout take-home goods include Amish noodles, maple syrup and angel food cake.

If you have ever wanted to learn the secrets of professional chefs, this market should be on your “to do” list for Saturday mornings—some of the area’s best chefs offer cooking demonstrations to inspire market-goers. Complete new menu ideas with wines from Bargersville’s award-winning Mallow Run Winery.

Details: 8–11:30am Saturdays through Oct. 29; Third Avenue and City Center Drive, Carmel; www.carmelfarmersmarket.com

Broad Ripple Farmers’ Market

From Capriole farmstead goat cheese made in Greenville to Nicole-Taylor’s pastas handmade in Indy, this market rounds up the best of the state’s farms and food producers, and draws customers from all around the metro area.

Visitors can expect natural yogurt and fresh turkeys from Skillington Farm in Lebanon and herbs from Bloomers Greenhouse in Westpoint that complement flavors of the locally produced greens, asparagus, radishes and beets. Breathtakingly beautiful bouquets from Seldom Seen Farm and Harvest Moon Flower Farm are featured alongside heirloom apples, pears, raspberries and peaches from other nearby farms.

Now in its 15th year, the market has a family-friendly atmosphere where patrons are encouraged to bring their dogs along for a stroll.

Details: 8am–12:30pm, Saturdays through Nov. 19; 1115 Broad Ripple Ave., Indianapolis, in the parking lot of Broad Ripple Magnet High School; www.broadripplefarmersmarket.org

Binford Farmers’ Market

Now in its fifth season, this market offers exotic selections such as venison, pheasant, quail, frog legs, rabbit, veal, lamb and yellow perch from Muncie.

Customers will also find an array of locally grown fruits and vegetables and grass-fed beef and pork from nearby Eli Creek Farm and Wilson Farm. Don’t miss “My Dad’s Sweet Corn,” picked less than 24 hours before from the Baird family farm in Tipton.

From Amish farmlands come John Lapp’s raw milk and freshly churned butter, while Jonathan and Lucinda Gingerich offer a variety of cheeses, omega-3 eggs and pasturegrown chicken.

European-style breads from Cornerstone Bakery and whole-wheat muffins from Valentine Hill Bakery lure customers with their enticing aromas.

Details: 8am–noon, Saturdays through Oct. 29; Binford Boulevard and 62nd Street, Indianapolis; www.binfordfarmersmarket.com Fishers/Saxony Market

Providing live musical entertainment and children’s activities, this market is hailed as a community gathering place in the southeastern corner of Hamilton County. Vendors offer farm-fresh fruits, organic vegetables, grass-fed beef, local pork, free-range chicken, delicious pies, muffins, cakes, natural honey and homemade jellies and jams.

Details: 8am–1pm Saturdays through Sept. 24; 13578 E. 131st St., Fishers; www.farmersmarketonline.com/fm/SaxonyMarket.html

Irvington Farmers’ Market

Have you missed seeing your neighbors during a long winter? This farmers’ market bills itself as the place to become reacquainted with people in the community on second Sundays of the month. Preferring to stroll leisurely on an afternoon in the shade of historic Ellen-