What’s fresh at Baton Rouge farmers markets in July

We’re at the beginning of the summer harvest, which means plentiful fresh crops to choose from when you hit the market.

For seasonal fruits, watermelon is the melon of choice, with both red and yellow varieties available. Also pick up cantaloupes, peaches, blueberries and a limited supply of newly arrived figs, according to the Red Stick Farmers Market‘s Darlene Rowland. On the veggie front, you’ll find sweet corn, purple hull peas, fresh shelled red beans, both green and burgundy okra, and standard and heirloom tomatoes.

If you’re looking to get your summer squash on, there are plenty of options, from zucchini to yellow to acorn to spaghetti. Eggplants will also make an appearance in globe, green and fairy tale (the tiny, adorable purple and white ones) varieties.

Also keep an eye out for two new vendors: JW Duck Eggs out of Hammond and Maggie’s Mushrooms out of St. Francisville, carrying shiitake, oyster and king trumpet mushrooms, as well as chanterelles for a limited time.

If you’re hitting the Red Stick Farmers Market this Saturday, come ready for an early Independence Day celebration. Local trumpeter John Gray will open the morning with a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” and then be joined by the rest of his trio to soundtrack the whole morning. The Daughters of the American Revolution will be on hand giving out miniature American flags while violin students play inside Main Street Market. And vendors will have everything you need for your Fourth of July barbecue, including beef, chicken, seafood and sausage.

Fresh from the Market cooking demos

Held Saturdays at 10 a.m. inside Main Street Market

July 7: Emily Stewart of Eat Fit BR
July 14: Anne Milneck of Red Stick Spice Company
July 21: TBD chef from Tsunami
July 28: Jay Ducote of Gov’t Taco

Red Stick Farmers Market summer schedule

Thursdays (weather permitting), 8 a.m.–noon
Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 6400 Perkins Road

Saturdays, 8 a.m.–noon
Main Street Market, Fifth and Main streets

Tuesdays (May-July, weather permitting), 8 a.m.–noon
EBRP Main Library, 7711 Goodwood Blvd.

Thursdays (May-July, weather permitting), 8 a.m.–noon
ExxonMobil YMCA, 7717 Howell Blvd.