Did you know about our Farmers Market?

I love fresh produce. While our wonderful United Market Street grocery store has amazing fruits, vegetables and meats, I like to support local farmers and enjoy the farm fresh bounty of the season. Last year McKinney started a farmers market on Saturday mornings between April and October just east of the square. I was driving to downtown Dallas before I read that my favorite grass-feed meat guy, Robert Hutchins of Rehoboth Farms was going to be set up in McKinney too. He's got a place right outside Greenville that is supposed to be heaven on earth. I keep missing the open house he has but am committed to getting there this year. It's best to email him the order ahead of time if you need any quantities or have your mouth set on one of his juicy, flavorful steaks. My personal favorite is his pork chops. I put them in a brine all day and then cooked them on the grill with some dry rib rub...oh my goodness, they were delish!

Robert also brings dairy products from Wagon Creek Creamery in Oklahoma. I originally met Ron (again, family owned and operated farm) at the downtown Dallas Farmers Market. He has butter and cream but this yogurt cheese that is to die for! It's like a combination between cream cheese and sour cream and I've substituted it as both. The original, which is honestly the only one I've had because I love it so much, has a mildly tart flavor like cream cheese. People haven't really discovered it yet so there's usually enough that you don't have to pre-order.

There's a man and his wife that set up with vegetables and they usually look pretty good. This is where our little farmers market gets a bit weak compared to the mammoth Dallas farmers market but with gas at $2.50 per gallon, close is good.

There are a variety of other vendors that sell dried pasta, gourmet dog treats, local honey and jams. They round out the cute market feel in what is usually a vacant lot. Parking is easy and I try to walk and get a cup of coffee or grab breakfast at Spoons.

McKinney is such a dichotomy of old and new. I enjoy being able to drive 15 minutes and walk around an area that has been operating for 150 years.

(I'll try to get a picture this weekend)