Celebrate National Farmers Market Week - August 2-8

Is there anything that says summer quite like a ripe, juicy tomato from Your Local Farmers Market? (source: Yardley Farmers Market)

Whether it's sliced onto a BLT, layered with fresh mozzarella and basil, or simply sprinkled with a little sea salt, August is tomato season, and one of the very best reasons to visit the Yardley Farmers’ Market (YFM).

But have you ever wondered why a tomato from your local farmer tastes so much better than one from the grocery store? Most grocery store tomatoes travel hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles before reaching the produce aisle. To survive that journey, they are they picked while they're still green and firm, then exposed to ethylene gas to turn them red after harvest. While they'll look like a ripe tomato, they never have the opportunity to fully develop their natural sweetness and rich flavor on the vine.

Farmers market tomatoes are different. Our farmers harvest tomatoes much closer to peak ripeness because they don't have to withstand days of shipping. Many are picked just a day or two before market, allowing them to develop the sugars, acids, and aromas that give tomatoes their unmistakable summer flavor.

Freshness Makes All the Difference

The shorter the time between the field and your kitchen, the better fruits and vegetable taste. That's one of the biggest advantages of shopping at your local farmers market, you can enjoy produce at its peak.

More Than Just Red Tomatoes

One of the joys of shopping the market is discovering that tomatoes come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

You may find:

• Cherry tomatoes for snacking

• Heirloom tomatoes bursting with rich flavor

• Roma tomatoes perfect for sauces

• Beefsteak tomatoes made for sandwiches

• Colorful varieties in shades of yellow, orange, purple, and even green

Each has its own unique flavor and best use in the kitchen. Don't be afraid to ask your farmer

which variety they recommend. Tomatoes aren't just delicious, they're good for you, too.

They're an excellent source of vitamin C and potassium and are rich in lycopene, a powerful

antioxidant responsible for their vibrant red color. Research suggests lycopene may support heart health and help protect our cells from oxidative stress.

Tomatoes are also an easy way to add more color, flavor, and nutrients to your meals, all while supporting local agriculture.

A Few Tomato Tips

To get the very best flavor from your tomatoes:

• Store them on the counter, not in the refrigerator. Cold temperatures can dull their flavor

and alter their texture.

• Wash them just before eating.

• Enjoy them within a few days of purchasing for the freshest taste.

Try this recipe this month: Tomato, Peach & Mozzarella Salad

One of our favorite things about shopping at YFM is that you can build an entire meal using

ingredients from our vendors. This simple summer salad celebrates the best flavors of August and comes together in just minutes.

Pick up these ingredients at the market:

• Ripe tomatoes from Love Grows Farm or Abe Acres Farm

• Sweet peaches from Solly Farm

• Fresh basil from Love Grows Farm

• Fresh mozzarella from Sugar Maple Jerseys

You'll also need:

• Extra virgin olive oil

• Flaky sea salt

• Freshly cracked black pepper

• Balsamic glaze (optional)

Directions

Arrange slices of tomatoes and peaches on a serving platter. Tear the fresh mozzarella into bite- sized pieces and scatter over the top. Add whole basil leaves throughout the salad, then drizzle with olive oil. Finish with flaky sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and a light drizzle of balsamic glaze, if desired.

Serve alongside grilled chicken or steak from Sugar Maple Jerseys, sprinkle with fresh

microgreens from Maam Got Greens, or pair it with a loaf of fresh sourdough boule from Wild Flour Bakery for an easy summer lunch.

Celebrate Tomato Season

Tomato season doesn't last forever.

In just a few short weeks, these summer favorites will begin giving way to fall crops. So take

advantage while they're at their peak.

Once you've tasted the difference, you'll understand why so many people wait all year for local tomato season.