What's here in the Winter?

Sarah here! With winter and the holidays bounding towards us, people often forget the farmers' market is still going on all winter! From November to March we pull the garage doors down on the north and south pavilions and lightly heat the interior to keep some of that winter chill out.

"What is there at the market in the winter?" confused faces often say when Deb and I tell them we're still open.

Right now there's still some lingering produce that the farmers have kept in coolers to stretch their season just a few more weeks. We also have several farmers with hoop houses, high tunnels, or greenhouses which allow them to fend off frost just a bit longer.

While this photo is from back in June, it shows one of our farmer's high tunnel. The side vents are able to go up and down to allow air flow and help control the temperature a bit. I am sure those side vents are definitely up right now to keep the cold air out!

Most fall crops will last several months if stored properly. I recently bought my winter's supply of sweet potatoes which I nestled in clean old towels in boxes after I made sure they were cured. These should last me all the way into February or March depending on how hungry my family gets this winter!

The most important part for winter storage is curing, which typically requires a little under 2 weeks of warmer temperatures with good air circulation. (Exceptions to this are root veggies like carrots and beets, which you can store in your fridge!)

If you have a favorite fall crop, search the internet for some guides on how to store them properly! You can also check out the Missouri Extension Office's Seasonal and Simple App for some guides on storage and find out what you might be able to find at the market!

While it is true there is produce, all of the farmers with bakeries, meat, honey, eggs, and other fantastic individuals are still at the market each weekend and waiting to see your smiling faces! Be sure to stop by the City Market this winter!