Some farmers markets add wines, food stamp system

What is there to say about farmers markets? You go to them, you pick up produce. That’s about it.

Oh, but there’s so much more. Here are a few tidbits of information to enhance your farmers market experience:

- If you’re planning any Colorado road trips, get a copy of the Colorado Farm Fresh Directory. The free publication lists 83 farmers markets in the state, with information on county fairs, and food and agricultural festivals. It includes a list of farms that offer tours; corn-maze locations; farm and ranch vacations; tips for picking Colorado produce; a crop calendar; and a list of roadside stands, “U pick” places and wineries. Pick up one at the CSU Cooperative Extension office, 305 S. Union Blvd., or go to www.coloradoagriculture.com.

- Food Stamps are now legal tender at some Colorado markets, thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the Colorado Farmers’ Market Association. Because Food Stamp recipients now use Electronic Benefits Transfer debit cards instead of paper coupons, some markets are set up with electricity and telephone lines to process the transactions.

Eighteen markets in the state will accept EBT cards, including the two Colorado Farm and Art Markets in Colorado Springs: America the Beautiful Park, 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays, and Pine Creek Village Shopping Center, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. For a complete list of markets accepting EBT cards, visit www.coloradofarmers .org/find_a_market.htm.

- This year, for the first time, you can buy bottles of Colorado wines at nine markets in the state, and the Midweek Market Farmers Market Festival in Manitou Springs is one of them. Cottonwood Cellars will be at the Manitou market, selling six of its wines ($11 to $16.50, depending on the varietal). Several special events also will spice things up at the Manitou market. Events to mark on your calendar this year include the Buffalo BBQ event, July 4; the Ruxton Trading Post Pro/Am and Kids Bake-Off, July 25; and the Hippy Dippy Chili Cook-Off contest, Aug. 28. Call 685-9741 for information on entering these events. The market is at Soda Springs Park and runs 4-8 p.m. Wednesday evenings.

- Nick and Bambi Venetucci put their Fountain-area farm on the map by giving away pumpkins to kids in the Pikes Peak region. In 2003, they gave the Pikes Peak Community Foundation a 99-year lease on the farm, and last year the group debuted its farm stand. All the produce is grown on the farm. Right now you’ll find lettuce, spinach, sugar snap peas, herbs, arugula, radishes, baby carrots and beets. The farm stand is at 5210 U.S. Highway 85 and is open noon-6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays in June. In July and August, hours are noon-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays.

- This last morsel isn’t about farmers markets, per se, but it gives you another way to support local farmers: Join a Community Supported Agriculture program. Known as CSAs, members buy a portion of the sponsoring farmer’s harvest. One such farm is Country Roots Farm in Pueblo, which will distribute produce at the market at America the Beautiful Park from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays. There are several share types available, from $310 to $610 (but the work shares, in which you work at the farm for your food portion, are no longer available).. Visit www .countryrootsfarm.com or meet the farmers at the Wednesday evening Colorado Farm and Art Market for details.

Teresa J. Farney’s column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at 636-0271.