By Lea Thompson
La Prensa de San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO — Despite the rising temperatures, this summer is the perfect time to explore the growing Farmer’s Market landscape in San Antonio.
Every Tuesday, the San Antonio Food Bank brings nutritional education and new food options to locals at the downtown Farmer’s Market on Main Plaza.
“We want to showcase the farmer’s produce, making it ap- plicable and show people how to use it and prepare it. We make it accessible to low-income families and folks looking for creative ways to put ingredients together,” Matthew Molpus, the Farmer’s Market and nutrition education coordinator of S.A. Food Bank said.
This farmer’s market is different than most, however. They allow customers to pay with Lone Star or WIC and have an onsite EBT machine.
“Our heart and passion is right here in a food desert, where there is low access to fresh food and produce,” Molpus said.
A partnership between the The Main Plaza Farmer’s Market and the S.A. Food Bank brings fresh produce from farmers and the S.A. Food Bank’s garden.
Every second Tuesday of the month, the market features a cooking demo for locals.
A special Go Texan Grant, sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture, supports the monthly cooking demo and a special yearly demo that informs young and old, families, and individuals with special dietary needs.
Chef Yokuty of the Boardwalk Bistro prepared a goat cheese crostini with fresh cherries, grapes and jicama for market goers on Tuesday. The chef also handed out recipes featuring local produce and simple cooking techniques.
The audience described the plates as “refreshing,” and as “ the perfect summer snack.”
Chef Yokuty advised the audience to use seasonal produce and simple spices to accent the natural flavors and sweetness of different fruits.
“You can combine nutrition and flavor together in these plates… It’s sweet and simple,” Chef Yokuty said.
The market runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays.
