Photography by Elizabeth Lavin
The Dallas Farmers Market, located in downtown Dallas, has provided fresh meat, produce, flowers, and specialty items direct from the farm since 1941. It bills itself as “one of the largest public markets of its type” in the country and lures farmers and vendors from up to 150 miles away to provide the public with local products.
As a rule, morning hours provide the highest quality items, but bargain hunters can find better deals when the selection isn’t as choice in the afternoon.
But there’s more to do than shop. For around $25, you can take a cooking class, led by a professional chef, on Saturdays. Other events, which have included yard sales, handcrafter markets, and street performances, happen frequently and can be found on the Farmers Market website. A couple of tips for first-timers: bring cash and your own bag.