Wanna a chance to support Texas farmers and bring home super-fresh vegetables? Get it from Dallas Farmers Market. You can find anything you'd find at your local stores, but fresher, bigger and cheaper. And a whole lot of other stuff you won't find anywhere else!
History of Dallas Farmers Market
http://www.dallasfarmersmarket.org/About/history.html
Located in the central business district of downtown Dallas, the market is at 1010 South Pearl Expressway, Dallas, TX 75201. The best about shopping at DFM is you can buy from local producers. The produce is undoubtedly fresher! Also it's not hard to understand the benefits for local economy and the environment effects of transportation.
If you go early in the morning you can make good use of the sample tasting nearly on all fruit and vegetable types they have for sale. The Dallas Farmers Market is open 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, 362 days a year. Please note that the market is closed on New Years, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
The farmers within a 150-mile radius of Dallas sell their produce with the Verified Local Farmer Sign in Shed 1. Early birds will find that the vendors are more than eager to get you to try their samples. That's totally a "TRAP"! As once the sweet fruits and veggies hit your lips, you can't help buying several pounds of them. The vendors of Shed 1 include:
Betty's Tomatoes (farm merchant)
Comeback Creek (farmer)
Dis & Dat Farm (farmer)
Echigo's Farm (produce dealer)
Haney Farm and Eggs (farmer)
Heddin Family Farms (farmer)
Immanuel Farm (farmer)
JuHa Ranch (farmer)
Kitchen Pride Mushroom Farms, Inc (farmer)
Lemley's Produce & Plants (farm merchant)
Lightsey Farms (farmer)
Little John's Plants and Produce (farm merchant)
Lucido's Fresh Herbs and Produce (farm merchant)
Mixed Colors Enterprise (produce dealer)
North Star Ranch (farmer)
R.L. Graham and Sons (produce dealer)
Round Rock Honey Co. (farmer)
Savoy Sorbet Linn Madsen (specialty food)
Texas Honeybee Guild (beekeeper)
Texas Longhorn Cooperative (farmer)
William P. Gray (produce dealer)
Foodies can be satisfied and have their fun at the Shed 2. The remodeled 26,000-square-foot venue houses vendors of specialty items, food-related products and eateries. Vendors are listed below:
Abundantly Aromatic (aroma therapy candles, body sprays, soaps, scubs, oils, etc.)
Amber Gallery (handmade jewelry, glass art, pottery, ceramics)
Ain't No Mo! Butter Cakes (mini bundt cakes)
Cocina de Los Olivo's
Homemade Gourmet
Juarez Import (imported pottery)
Kurry King (spices, rice, oils, spice mixes)
La Popular-Tamale House (tamales, rice, beans, burritos, tortillas)
Mobile Knife
Sharpening (knife sharpening, blade restoration, and cutlery sales)
Natsumi Kitchen (Asian noodles, fried rice, Japanese tacos, gelato, crepes)
Pecan Lodge (BBQ-Tex-Mex- Breakfast)
Old World Sausage Company (Chicago style deli)
Samco Int'l, African Stores (African wood cravings, art, crafts, leather, animal skins, oils etc.)
San Miguel's Exporta (Mexican Import Home Interiors)
Silversprings Design (imported silver jewelry and handmade candles)
TEXOMA Winery (Texas white wine, red wine, and blends)
Texas Meats Super Natural:
- Rehoboth Ranch (grass fed beef, lamb, chicken, pork)
- Windy Meadows Farm (pastured chicken, grass fed beef & lamb, eggs)
- Truth Hill Farm (grass finished beef, pastured pork, lamb, chicken, eggs, cheese & dairy)
Adjacent to the parking lot for Shed 2, you will find several dealers specializing in flowers and garden vendors. Click the link below and find out them:
Floral of DFM
http://www.dallasfarmersmarket.org/Market/floral.html
In Shed 3, produce dealers resell refrigerated produce, including food shipped from other states. You can expect to buy Florida oranges, California grapes, Washington cherries, Mexican avocados and much more. In the peak season of local produce, they may also buy and resell locally-grown produce.
Produce Dealers of Shed 3
http://www.dallasfarmersmarket.org/Market/proddlrs.html
For the purchase of larger quantities, head for Shed 4. The wholesale "bulk sales" start around midnight and continue to 7:00 am, or until goods are sold out.
Wholesale Produce in Shed 4
http://www.dallasfarmersmarket.org/Market/whsle.html
Besides the amazing opportunity for you to "buy locally", the Dallas Farmers Market has much more to offer. The Chef's Cooking Classes are held on Saturdays from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm in the Market Resource Center. Housewives or anyone who loves to cook will have a pleasant time there. Register for a class or call 214-653-8088 for more information.
The DFM also holds two special events to celebrate the start of the growing season and the fall harvest: the Farm and Flower Festival in the spring and the Pumpkin Festival in the fall.
For more information you can make contact with the administrative personnel through 214-670-5880 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays. And the Customer Service Division is accessible from 6:00 am to 4:30 pm at 214-670-5879 each day.
Eager to begin your shopping in Dallas Farmers Market, right? Hold on. Here are some Smart tips for you to read.
- For the best selection or free sample tasting, you should come to the market early in the morning. If saving is your concern, come late in the day, just before the closing time. Dealers often give discounts on bruised or overripe vegetables and fruits which are good enough for making your pies, sauces or jam.
- Bring a sturdy shopping bag or cart, depending on how much you'd like to purchase. Cooler might be necessary if you hope to keep the produce fresh and at its peak. Also remember to bring cash, especially small dollar bills and change.
- Wear walking shoes as you might have a half or whole day there. And dress appropriately for the weather.
- It's wise to learn what grows in your area and what's in season before your shopping. Also take a few minutes to read the FAQ section of DFM.
Spring and Early Summer Availability at DFM
http://www.dallasfarmersmarket.org/Farmer/season.html
FAQ on Homepage
http://www.dallasfarmersmarket.org/About/faqs.html