Dec. 12, 2008 — Some of the best, freshest local produce and meats will be available by Beeston Hill come this Saturday when the Virgin Islands Farmers' Cooperative opens its new market outlet.
The market is just across the street from Beeston Hill Health and Fitness Club in Estate Grange, on the site of a 60-acre plot the Farmers' Cooperative owns. They plan to create a new farm and a permanent market on the plot. The market will be open this Saturday, Dec. 13 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m..
One of the advantages of a farmers' market is fresher, higher quality produce than that shipped to St. Croix from elsewhere, according to one co-op member.
"When food is shipped in, it is already approximately a week old when it gets here," Dale Browne of the Farmer's Cooperative said recently. "Then it is another week before it gets to the consumer, so you have produce that has already diminished in quality."
At the market, in contrast, you will get the very freshest produce possible.
"We are harvesting everything Friday for Saturday's market," Yvette Browne of the Farmers' Cooperative said Friday afternoon. "So it will be as fresh as you can get."
More than 20 farmers will be offering the fruits of their labor. Many of them were also involved in this week's Farmer Chef Connection local food luncheon, where the quality and variety of offerings impressed and stuffed happy diners.
(See: "Crucian Luncheon Showcases Local Food and Chefs.")
Saturday's 25 customer at the market will be given a free box of fresh local meat and produce, valued at $30. The winner's box will have:
— 3 lbs Lamb (Cutup for stew)
— Eggplant
— Bell Pepper
— Cucumbers
— Pumpkin
— Papaya
— Okra
To find out more, call: Ray Hamilton, Marketing Dir. Virgin Islands Farmers’ Cooperative, at
(340) 643-4354 or email: rayhamilton@vifarmerscoop.org
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