Even though the summer season is officially over, you still have 3 more opportunities to visit the Binford Farmers Market this year.

Three special indoor holiday market events are planned for Saturdays in 2012.

Saturdays, 9 AM - 12 PM on the following dates:

November 17, 2012
December 8, 2012
December 15, 2012

The holiday market is located indoors (to keep you warm while you shop) at Hawthorne Plaza at the corner of 62nd and Binford Blvd., Indianapolis, Indiana.

So, visit just in time to find goodies for your Thanksgiving table, find sweets to stuff in stockings or
discover a great addition to your holiday meal.

Written by Despi Ross, Indianapolis resident, Binford shopper and volunteer and author of local food blog, Figuring Out Food.

com·mu·ni·ty (noun) \kə-myü-nə-tē\ a unified body of individuals  

That’s really what we desire, isn’t it? To be a part of a community. I wrote about Grandma Jane a few weeks ago and received a lovely email thanking me for the review of her scones. Though, really, there were no exaggerations. We were disappointed to find that someone had bought all of her mini scones before we’d had a chance to snag some. This past weekend I introduced myself to her and received the warmest hug (really, you should try to hug her). We’ve met the owners of Simpson Farm Market and the wonderful people at Pappardelle’s Pasta. If you haven’t visited the BRAG tent, please do. They love meeting new people and will dish all about the market, including the reputed best carrot cake in Indianapolis (we have yet to get there in time before it all sells out).   Last week I wrote about the benefits of pasture raised and organic meat. This week I wanted to focus on something a little less food-based. Without the hardworking farmers and artisans, the market would not exist. Without the musicians who come out to share their talents, R would not be able to shuffle around in a toddler two-step. And without the shoppers, the famers and artisans wouldn’t be able to make a living from their crops.   The market truly is a community, and a wonderful one at that. It’s a place where you can make new friends, get better acquainted with the old, and discover things you never knew existed, like 3 en 1’s pupusas and my new favorite snack food. Join me next week as I tackle our next big summer project: gardening. The market has the best deals on flowers I’ve ever seen.

By Britney Earwood, Binford Farmers Market customer and volunteer

Not all farmers markets allow dogs, but the Binford Market welcomes your well-behaved canine companions. Well-behaved, you ask? The obvious concerns are that dogs are friendly around strangers, children and other dogs. One less obvious consideration is that other, non-dog animals that may be there. Small animals like rabbits and chicks may make an appearance at the market on occasion and it's important to know that bringing your retired racing greyhound may not be such a great idea if he's prone to chasing.

All dogs should be on a leash and kept close to the owner. Also, because dogs are, well - dogs, and they often like to leave their mark on trees, fire hydrants and even those beautiful tomato plants that the person behind you was just getting ready to buy, please make sure that your dog's needs are met outside of the market area. There are grassy areas on the outskirts of the parking lot and trash cans throughout for disposal of any waste. In addition, make sure that large and small dogs can be controlled to ensure you (and other market visitors) are able to sample products, talk to vendors and take your time looking at everything that's offered.

Be on the lookout for items that may be a danger to your pet, such as certain plant leaves, chocolate and other dogs. And be courteous of vendors and their displays. Dog tongues, tails and fur aren't typically expected in someone's banana bread sample or cup of coffee.

So all of that said, why would you bring a dog to the market, anyway? Of course, dogs like to get out of the house just as much as people. New things to see and smell can be an exciting adventure for your pooch. In addition to the exercise being good for both of you, it's good for dogs to maintain regular contact with new people and animals and situations so they are comfortable in different environments. Plus, there are vendors that expect and cater to dogs. You may find some meaty treats for your pet or some cool artisan pet collars and accessories.

And what if you don't have a dog, but want one? Well, you may just get lucky and run into some of the loveable (and adoptable) dogs from Indianapolis Animal Care & Control during your next market visit!

By Kerry Baugh, Binford Farmers Market customer and volunteer

Last summer, on a very hot and humid Saturday morning, my three year-old son and I stopped to get a fresh iced tea at one of the Binford Farmers Market booths. Both avid tea drinkers, we spoke with the tea vendor, asking questions and taking turns smelling the different kinds he had available. My son was excited to learn about the variety of teas and we left with a caffeine-free strawberry one that he would be able to help make at home. When he got home, he told his dad all he had learned about tea and then let his little sister smell the strawberry scented leaves before fixing some (with help) for all of us to share. This is just one of a hundred "little moments" my children have had at the local market.

While mine are only two and four now, kids of all ages can enjoy the market. From babies enjoying the visual stimulation of a new place, to preschoolers learning colors and numbers, there can be something fun at every booth. Elementary school-aged children can learn about money, transactions, farming and how food gets to our tables. Even teenagers, who may be able to find out about volunteering and internship opportunities with different vendors, can develop a deeper appreciation for community involvement, new foods and other cultures. They can meet farmers, bakers, artists and entertainers. And parents may be pleasantly surprised that, given a chance, there are many more things that interest kids than just plastic toys, video games and iPods.

With friendly people, plenty of fresh, local food, live entertainment and warm summer days; hanging out at the market is a great way for families to spend time together. What could be more fun than exploring new foods with your kids - not just nagging them about trying new things, but showing them you're eager (or maybe not eager, but willing) to give a weird, new food a shot?

Granted, I love quiet mornings when I go by myself to the market and grab a cup of coffee, linger at the booths a little longer and stroll back home, but I also like sharing the experience with my kids. And people of all ages will always benefit from supporting their neighbors and community by buying local food and supporting local farmers markets.

By Kerry Baugh, Binford Farmers Market customer and volunteer

The Binford Farmers Market is a unique experience for me. I dodge shopping in general like it’s a debt collector and my poor husband is often stuck doing it for me. And with the rise of the green movement comes an inundation of ads and articles about eating organically, nitrate-free, or all natural to the point that going to the grocery feels a little like running a gauntlet.

But not the market. There I’m free to stroll and peruse and do our favorite thing: try new foods. I feel like we sampled everything available. And vendors love to give samples, making them my favorite people! We had the chicken salad from Dee's Signature Salads, which was deliciously creamy with a beautiful balance of dill and spices. We tried the lamb sausage from Viking Lamb, which if you haven't had lamb or think you don't like it please, go to Viking Lamb and try it again.

And the lemon curd from Delicious Additions was a particular favorite of R. We nearly had to pin her down to keep her from running back for more.

Saturdays have quickly become a relaxing break from our hurried routine of work and school—a time that we can gather as a family and take a moment to slow down and enjoy what summer has to offer. I can't wait for next Saturday to see what new vendors have hopped on the market train to show off their wares. In the meantime, we’re enjoying the Lemon Chive Angel Hair pasta from Pappardelle’s Pasta. We just tossed it with a simple pepper butter and served it with yellow squash and broccoli. It was scrumptious and perfect for a warm summer evening.

By Britney Earwood, Binford Farmers Market customer and volunteer

The first day of the Binford Farmers Market is as intoxicating to me as catnip to a cat; the fresh air and warm breeze combined with booths and rows of fresh flowers, vegetables, and homemade tasties like lemon curd is a special sort of ambrosia.

It used to be intimidating. I never knew what to buy or whom to buy from. Is this vendor's bread going to be as good as the other's? How do I know how to pick out the best fresh tomatoes? The day I realized that it's all good and it's all going to be ten times better than anything I will find at the grocery store was the day the market became exponentially more fun.

What's more is that everything there is made with the love and dedication only found by people who have a passion for what they do and honestly want to spread healthy, great tasting food while making connections with neighbors and friends.

We used to go out for brunch on Sundays as a weekly ritual. Nowadays, we find ourselves packing into the car around 8:30 Saturday morning and heading up to the market for fresh, home-roasted coffee and handmade pastries. Our daughter, R, is happiest sitting in the wagon, munching away on a scone, while my husband and I stroll around and see what treasures we can find.

This week we stumbled across Grandma Jane's Pies. I don't know who Grandma Jane is, but I want to, even if it's just to kiss the feet of the woman who makes the best tasting pastries I've found in Indianapolis. We picked up a sampler pack of her mini scones for R to munch on. A great farmers market shopping hint for the kiddos: Take advantage of those samples! Vendors love to give them away and kids love taking them. It's their guilty pleasure for the week.

My daughter turns into a ravenous beast anytime food is remotely in the vicinity of her face, but I was able to snag a piece of the chocolate scone before it disappeared. Wow. This buttery, spicy, slightly sweet masterpiece was the best little scone I've had in a very long time. And her Dirty Pie? I blacked out to dessert heaven for the few minutes it took to devour a slice. You have to try it. It's chocolate-ey, gooey, and the crust is flaky and tender enough to make even Alton Brown proud.

By Britney Earwood, Binford Farmers Market customer and volunteer