It’s safe to say that I am a “good eater”.  I love food, which makes anything that even vaguely resembles a farmers market a place I want to be.  Whether it’s at home or while we’re out exploring new places on vacation, my husband and I always seem to track down the local farmers markets.  And in all honesty, our own Bluffton offers one of the best I’ve come to discover.

I would say it’s not your average farmers market.  It, much like the town that hosts it, is a state of mind and offers its own, unique personality to what most expect to find at your typical market.

Here are a few things that you might not know about Farmers Market Bluffton…

It’s not just about what comes from the ground

It’s amazing the vast variety of provisions you can find squeezed onto Calhoun Street, the heart of historic Bluffton, every Thursday from 2pm to 7pm.  There’s everything from fresh pasta that includes up to 15 varieties of some of the most delectable ravioli including Truffle Lobster, Pear & Gorgonzola and Asparagus & Mascarpone to  scrumptious homemade cookies to local honey (one of my favorites that has even been said to be a homeopathic remedy for allergies).  There’s pasture-raised, natural, dry-aged beef such as filet mignon, rib eyes, roasts and MiBek Farms very own signature Bluffton Blade premium steak that is “worth dying for”, free-range eggs, nuts, and Chinese dumplings (yes, you heard that right).  You could eat for weeks and not repeat the same meal twice.

For a complete list of Farmers Market Bluffton vendors, click here.

It’s not just about shopping

At Farmers Market Bluffton, you can actually learn a thing or two.  Offering the Chef in the Market program featuring local Chef demos (this week’s is with Chef Matt from Old Town Dispensary and The Sage Room), the Le Creuset Chef’s Tent teaching market-goers how to prepare dishes using market fresh ingredients (every Thursday at 4pm) and the Little Growers Program (every 3rd Thursday of the month) for the younger shoppers, there’s something to learn for everyone at the market.

It goes way beyond the food

Every Thursday, Calhoun Street fills with the sounds of live, local music while you shop and enjoy the fresh food prepared on-site.  And, while at the market, you can spend some time with the on-site Master Gardener for gardening tips, best planting practices, soil corrections and much, much more!  The program is brought to us from the Clemson Cooperative Extension.

And, while in Old Town Bluffton, don’t miss the amazing boutiques, galleries and other stops along Bluffton’s beautiful Calhoun Street.

Help do good

You can spend the day shopping and feel good about it.  Farmers Market Bluffton partners with several local area non-profits offering space for these organizations to promote their “do-goodin’”.  From sports programs to health organizations to pet adoptions, there are several organizations present with information, volunteer sign ups and much more.  Who knows?!?  You may even leave with a new four-legged member of your family!

Don’t miss checking out the website before you go

The Farmers Market Bluffton website has lots of great resources, including information on the current week’s market.  Make sure to check it out before your visit.  But, my favorite part of the website that is a definite not to miss – the From Farm to Table section where you will find (and can share) recipes that work with current harvest dates.  There is not one recipe on there I wouldn’t recommend!