FOODIE JOURNAL

Brookhaven Farmers Market Executive Director Christy Murray shares her summer market tips.

Local Flavor

Embrace fresh, local provisions this summer with these farmers market tips

It wouldn’t be summer in Atlanta without farmers markets. Here, Brookhaven Farmers Market Executive Director Christy Murray shares how to get the most out of your next visit.

What are your tips for navigating farmers markets in general? If you are new to the market, take your time with each vendor and don't be afraid to sample products. Arrive early to experience the full selection of what vendors have to offer before they sell out. If you are a regular, pre-order from your favorite vendors because you know they will get busy and may sell out early. What should people bring? Reusable shopping bags and a water bottle. The market provides a limited supply of bags and fresh, cool water weekly.

Is there a piece of farmers market etiquette you can share? Be respectful of your fellow patrons and have patience. If you drive to the market, be sure to park without blocking another customer and follow any parking signs. While shopping, if you see a long line, take a nice stroll, stop and listen to the music, and circle back. If you opt to stand in line, do so while trying your best not to block a vendor's booth or to disrupt the flow of other patrons.

What’s in season this summer that we should make sure to have on our shopping list? Peaches from the Georgia Peach Truck representing Dickey Farms and Watsonia Farms, as well as Georgia Proud Provisions representing Pearson Farm; tomatoes from Double B Farm, Circle M Farm and Cornucopia Farms; honey from Hometown Honey in celebration of National Honey Bee Day at the end of August. n

BROOKHAVEN FARMERS MARKET brookhavenfarmersmarket.com @brookhavenfarmersmarket

FOOD NEWS

Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead’s new restaurant, Brassica, is now open, serving Southern-influenced French fare. Stop by for a menu highlighting local ingredients, as well as a drink from in-house cocktail lounge Peacock Alley or tea service at Solarium, which was previously an open-air patio. brassicaatlanta.com

n A new location of Okiboru Tsukemen and Ramen, following its original outpost in Sandy Springs, is now open in Buckhead. Located in the former Karma Farm space at the Aramore condo complex on Peachtree, the restaurant specializes in tsukemen or “dipping ramen” and makes its own noodles in-house. okiboru.com

n A new Chicken Salad Chick is now open in the Perimeter Marketplace shopping center at 4706 Ashwood Parkway in Dunwoody. In addition to its fast-casual menu, the restaurant also offers full-service catering and Quick Chick to-go options. chickensaladchick.com

Pop Stars

Some top popsicle purveyors share recipes to help you to keep cool this summer

King of Pops’ Banana Puddin’ Pops

You’ll find King of Pops’ creative flavors in stores and mobile carts across town, but you can make their sweet treat at home for yourself (or a crowd) with this decadent recipe. INGREDIENTS Makes 16 3-ounce pops 1 quart whole milk ½ cup heavy cream 1 vanilla bean, seeds removed (keep seeds and pod) 1 ½ cup organic evaporated cane juice 8 ripe bananas, 4 whole and 4 sliced crosswise about 1-inch thick 32 bite-size vanilla wafers

INSTRUCTIONS In a saucepan on low heat, mix milk, cream, vanilla (both scraped seeds and pod) and cane juice until warm. Remove from heat and let cool. Remove the vanilla pod. Pour the liquid into a blender. Add 4 bananas and blend until smooth. Place two slices of banana and two vanilla wafers each into popsicle molds. Then pour the milk mixture into the mold. Place one popsicle stick in each mold, submerging it halfway. Freeze for at least 8 hours. KING OF POPS • kingofpops.com • @kingofpops

Chloe’s Pops Poptail Pairings

Made from wholesome vegan and gluten-free ingredients, Chloe’s Pops, available locally at Publix, Whole Foods, Sprouts and Kroger, can be enjoyed on their own or turned into a “poptail” for a sweet, party-ready refreshment. INSTRUCTIONS Place your favorite Chloe’s Pop in a glass—pop down, stick up. Fill the glass halfway with the alcohol or bubbly of your choice. Substitute sparkling cider or lemonade for a mocktail.

PAIRING IDEAS Chloe’s Strawberry Pop with prosecco or rosé Chloe’s Lime Pop or Mango Pop with tequila Chloe’s Raspberry Pop with prosecco or gin CHLOE'S POPS • chloesfruit.com • @chloesfruit