Winter farmers markets

New Orleans, LA – Despite the parade of winter storms that has recently clobbered the nation with snow, Northerners are becoming transfixed with a new phenomena: winter markets. Now, for us in the Deep South, winter markets are not only possible, but perhaps the best of all seasons: especially since so many growers are learning how to stretch their crops. Because we want it all, strawberry farmers, like Miguel Mendez, are planting earlier and earlier each season. As a result, we are eating strawberries from the Bayou Classic to JazzFest. Also available at winter markets now are hothouse tomatoes. Several new tomato growers are becoming fast favorites with their vine ripened fruit. And what's not love about winter tomatoes to serve with the fields' fresh lettuces? For the WWNO Farmers Market Minute, this is Richard McCarthy.