Farmers Markets are ready for Thanksgiving

Winter produce and handmade gifts marked for holiday shoppers
Farmers market managers and vendors are working hard this week to ensure there are plenty of products for shoppers looking to fill their baskets for the Thanksgiving holiday.
For the weekend of Nov. 23 and 24, local farmers are gathering fruits, vegetables, handcrafted gifts and even chestnuts to bring to the table for those looking to celebrate with local goods.
The Healdsburg Farmers Market has already said goodbye to a few of their vendors for the year, but said many of their regular farmers will finish off the season on Nov. 23 and 30 with a lot to offer.
“As of the 16th, we still had plenty of tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and summer squashes from certain microclimates that stay warmer, such as Dry Creek Valley and Geyserville, or farms that have green houses or use row covers. It is a luxury to have such a bounty of summer produce this late,” said Healdsburg Certified Farmers Market Manager Mary Kelley.
Even though Kelley said that everyone is anxious for the rain to start, many are still busy harvesting their root vegetables, including sunchokes, turnips, radishes, carrots, beets, potatoes, leeks, shallots and other fall crops including pears, apples, quince, persimmons, strawberries, pomegranates, walnuts, broccoli, brussel spouts and greens.
“Preston Farm has brussel sprouts, Bernier Farm and Early Birds Place have broccoli, and Foggy River Farm and Hector’s Honey have potatoes, which are the three vegetable standards on my family’s Thanksgiving table. There will be plenty of winter squashes, and the farmers have recipes for making purees for pies…and Sally Weed will be selling chestnuts,” said Kelley.
Kelley also noted that the farmers have more time in the fall months to pursue their homemade crafts and that the market will host 20 additional craft vendors in the month of November, including the Healdsburg Museum’s stall space containing holiday gifts; the Fincher’s bird houses made from gourds, as well bat, owl and bluebird houses; Soibhan at Bernier Farm sells reusable totes made from recycled feed bags; and Sarah Kiff at Ridgeview Farm will sell holiday wreaths.
“It is important for customers to continue to support the farmers this time of year. The farmers planted their winter squashes around the Fourth of July, so they would have them available to us now,” said Kelley.
“If we don’t purchase their crops, they may not be inclined to plant them next year. We all know the benefits of supporting local, seasonally grown produce. Every local dollar spent at the Farmers’ Market continues to circulate in our local economy,” she said.
The last Healdsburg market will be held on Saturday, Nov. 30. After Thanksgiving, the farmers will continue the tradition of offering complimentary hot apple cider, made from Nana Mae’s Sonoma County Apples and prepared by Carrie Brown at the Jimtown Store. Kelley said this is a chance for market shoppers to stop by the market table, introduce out of town visitors and family and say good-bye until next year.
The Windsor Farmers Market will be open before Thanksgiving on Sunday, Nov. 24. Special holiday celebrations will be held that day along with a wide variety of winter vegetables showcased.
Krouts Sunset Ranch will be at the Windsor market selling four types of squash, greens including kale, spinach and arugula and a small lot of peppers, which are not usually available this late in the season.
“We will have about 400 pounds of spaghetti squash and 400 pounds of butternut squash both make for versatile dishes,” said owner Rick Krout who will be serving butternut squash with his Thanksgiving meal.
This time of year, the frost damages the last of many summer crops and many farmers are done for the season.  As these farmers drop out, the market replaces their spot with local artists and crafters for holiday gift shopping.  
“The Market has been very consistent this year, so far our sales have not dropped off as they did in the past. It’s past mid-November and we still have tomatoes, peppers and flower bouquets which would have been done by now.  The winter crops are in and abundant.  Gorgeous cauliflower and giant carrots available from Let’s Go Farm and many vendors have scrumptious greens – kale, lettuce, beet greens and mustard like Min-Hee Hill Gardens and Ridgeview Farm.  This time of year the greens take on a sweet buttery taste that I love,” said Windsor’s Farmer Market Manager Tina Castelli.  
“As humans, when the winter cold sets in we start to hibernate on the weekends and don’t want to come out to the market as much.  After seeing all the beautiful stuff available at the Market this last weekend, I would advise getting the winter coat out, brave the weather and come to the Farmers Markets for all your local Thanksgiving menu ingredients and pick up some gifts at the same time,” she said.