Farmer's markets are opening up all around the Lake of the Ozarks area. Every weekend you can find them out, bright and early, offering fresh, tasty produce. There are quite a few to choose from near the Lake of the Ozarks waterfront homes at Mission Bay.Farmer's markets often feature the tastiest, freshest food that you can purchase, edging out even the best of grocery stores. Here are just a few reasons that you should pay a visit to one of these local vendors.
Fresh, seasonal food
The items sold at farmer's markets are straight from the farm. You will get the food that they are producing right after it has been harvested, instead of buying items from a store that have been on a truck or in a warehouse for days to weeks before making it to you.A larger variety than most grocery stores
Since grocery stores have to rely on what can be shipped to them and only order the items that they know will sell, their variety can be limited. Local farmers often bring foods that you don't normally see in a store to the market. You can sometimes run across foods that look familiar, but are offered in colors you have never seen them in. On the other hand, you may see shapes that you have never encountered. All of this variety gives you a chance to expand your taste buds.
Support local farming families.
You know exactly where your food is coming from and who the money you are spending is going to. More than likely the person selling to you is the person that actually grew it, or is directly connected to them and can answer your questions knowledgeably. Shopping locally is great for the economy too.Advice and tips from the experts
As stated above, the person selling to you is most likely very involved in the growing of the food that is being sold, so they should know all kinds of details about it. How often have you gone into a grocery store and seen something interesting in the produce section, but had no clue how to eat it or cook with it? You probably picked it up and put it right back down. The farmers at the market can tell you what you are buying, how to eat it, and probably even give you some great recipe ideas for it. Occasionally you can even ask for a sample. It's a great chance to try something brand new.It's healthy
Eating lots of fruits and vegetables is a great way to stay healthy. Shopping at a farmer's market with lots of fresh choices and bright colors tends to make you want to buy more than you might pick up in a grocery store aisle where everything kind of looks the same all of the time. Also, most farmer's try to stay away from the pesticides and herbicides that big companies use. You are very likely to get truly "organic" produce from a farmer's market. The best way to find out is to ask these experts all about it.Here are a few of the markets that you can find a short drive from your home at Mission Bay.
Camdenton Farmer's MarketOpen Saturdays, May-October, from 7 am - noon. It is located at the intersection of Hwys. 5 & 54 by the courthouse in Camdenton. You will find fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, eggs, baked goods, flowers, crafts, and more.
Farris Fruit and Vegetable Market
Open Monday-Saturday, 8 am - 6 pm & Sundays 8 am - 5 pm. They are located at 1725 N Business Rte. 5 in Camdenton, and offer fruits, vegetables, crafts, flowers, and more.
Osage Beach Farmers Market
Open Saturdays May-September, 9 am - 1 pm. They are located in the Stone Crest Mall on Osage Beach Parkway in Osage Beach. They offer fruits, vegetables, honey, meat, baked goods, crafts, and more. This market features a kids' club where children can do activities to earn tokens to spend at the market. All vendors agree to a "Pure Food Pledge" and must farm within a 100-mile radius of the market.
Get there early for the best choices. Ask questions. Get to know your local vendors. After a few visits, you will know more about what you are looking for, and the farmers will know what you want and like. Having these wonderful markets so close to the Lake of the Ozarks waterfront development of Mission Bay is one more reason that this is a wonderful place to make your home. Happy eating!
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Phone: (573) 873-3465
237 Mission Bay Blvd.
Camdenton, MO 65020
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