Beargrass Christian Church Market

[Robin Garr]

We finally got over there today, and I loved it! As longtime Bardstown Road marketers, we felt a little disloyal, but after seeing so many of the old regular vendors from Bardstown represented at Beargrass, it became clear that there's room for both.

And what a market! So many vendors - it's still growing, apparently, someone said that they extended booths down another leg of the "L" around in front of the Shelbyville Road side of the church for the first time today. The produce was great, and we bought a ton of it, and the breakfast booths looked good too ... I was already stuffed with a Blue Dog croissant, but next time I'm coming hungry.

I'm not sure I like the church parking lot any <i>better</i> than street parking on Bardstown ... the time spent in a line being directed to places was probably about the same as the short walk to Bardstown from street parking, and I couldn't help chuckling at the high proportion of SUVs and mini-vans in the more suburban St. Matthews location ... I think Bardstown still wins the prize for granola-munching tree-huggers.

But I definitely like them both, and we're just about halfway between the two in Crescent Hill, so it's pretty much a coin-flip which way to head on Saturday morning. It's great to have the choice, and I hope they both thrive.

Finally, props to Heather of Meridian Cafe for responding so quickly to calls for seating at Beargrass: They had an attractive portable picnic table right in front of their booth, and it was getting plenty of use!

I visited the market today for the first time and spent a happy half hour looking thru the stalls and meeting some of the vendors. Got some interesting perserves and some basil that is making my entire home smell like summer. And the most beautiful cauliflower.
I am happy to hear the picnic table was getting used when you were there, Robin, as I didn't see anyone at it my entire visit and I know what an issue it's been.
I look forward to seeing what other produce they have thru the summer.

This market is just taking off like a bird! Yesterday there was a new BBQ vendor (excellent pulled pork, yes, I had pulled pork for breakfast) and a new tent with an asian couple selling egg rolls. I have been getting there right at 8 am and parking isn't an issue then. Thank you Heather of Meridian Cafe for bringing the picnic table out. My mom wasn't there yesterday, but she will appreciate this more than you can know. Robin is right, it is more of a St. Matthews demographic, but I was out there in my Jerry Garcia Birkis and pigment dyed tee shirt and felt right at home, no one called me a tree hugger, even when I bought some patchoulli scented soap at the Mommies Helping booth.

[Robin Garr]

This market is just taking off like a bird!

So many forumites are going there, Mary Anne, we should plan a meetup some Saturday! Preferably at Meridian's table!

The Asian couple, by the way, come from Kimis, the Asian bistro out at Blankenbaker and I-64 where Nik's used to be. And the pulled pork really is excellent ... not from a restaurant but a couple from Middletown who cater barbecue. I was full up with Blue Dog croissant and didn't eat breakfast at the farmers market, but I took little sample cups of pulled pork and beef brisket and thought both were just excellent.

As for that St. Matthews demographic, I hope nobody took my teasing <i>too</i> seriously. You'll always find plenty of tree-huggers at any farmer's market. And let's face it, with Lotsa Pasta, Rainbow Blossom, Seafood Connection and even Wild Oats and Whole Foods and more, St. Matthews is foodie central.

Robin,

Did you (or anyone else out there) try the pork from the natural pork (and beef ) stand.? They were all out of Tenderloin and chops by the time I got there (11:00 with toddler in tow), so I couldn't compare it to Stonecross. Just wondered in anyone has tried them...

I did buy some of the ground Bison and it is excellent: just need to cook it quick as it is so lean.

Deb

PS. Re: the parking. I parked across Shelbyville Road in the Papa Johns/ Gymboree/ OLD SEARS parking lot and breezed in and out. There is a crosswalk and light right there, and tons of spaces even late in the day.

Deb

[Robin Garr]

Did you (or anyone else out there) try the pork from the natural pork (and beef ) stand.? They were all out of Tenderloin and chops by the time I got there (11:00 with toddler in tow), so I couldn't compare it to Stonecross. Just wondered in anyone has tried them...

Deb, I didn't see a natural pork stand there, and I do love Stonecross. I'll keep going to Bardstown Road for them alone.

However, Stan and Leila Gentle (of Stan's Fish Sandwich and the late St. Matthews Seafood) do sell grass-fed, naturally raised beef and <i>lamb</i> from their Dreamcatcher Farms at both produce markets, and it's very fine. If they have pork, I don't know it.

Robin,

There was a family farm stand there that has both pork and beef - I think the name begins with an "F'- Fiedler?

I'm very familiar with Dreamcatcher Farms and the Gentles: I was there in part to say "hi" to Lelia. They are great people. I have not tried their lamb yet as Brian is not a big lamb fan, but their beef is in my freezer and I plan to try it this week. I may need to try the lamb regardless- I LOVE lamb. FYI: they also sell on Tuesdays at the St. Francis Episcopal Church market.

Deb

[Robin Garr]

There was a family farm stand there that has both pork and beef - I think the name begins with an "F'- Fiedler?

Ah, okay, I must have skipped past that one. Something to look for next week!

As for lamb, I love it too ... and with growing concern about "food miles," it has really chapped me to have to choose between forgoing it or buying lamb all the way from New Zealand or Australia when Western Kentucky is full of it. Things like that really make farmers' markets pay for themselves for me.

It is the Fiedler Family Farms, and they have stolen my heart from Stonecross! Seriously, these guys have it *down*. The pork is heritage bred, and is unbelieveable. Try the bacon, you will *die* (try enough of it and you just may die, but you will die with a smile on your face). I bought quite possibly the best NY Strip I have ever eaten in my life from them two weeks ago. Insanely good meat, and lovely people, I've emailed them to thank them for doing such a nice job. I really like supporting these kinds of businesses, we all win!

We tried this market out for the first time this weekend as well and were pleased with everything we walked away with - including full bellies from all the wonderful samples.

We haven't found our way back to the Highlands market since moving to the far east end wasteland, but the Beargrass market is a worthy replacement.

Forgot to mention...the Fiedler Family has a website with their product listing, you can email them and request certain items be brought to the Farmers Market specifically for you, I know they don't bring everything every week. http://www.fiedlerfamilyfarms.com/

What time is the Tuesday St. Francis church market held? I'd like to try to get over there today for some more tomatoes. Is it very big?

Amy

[Robin Garr]

What time is the Tuesday St. Francis church market held? I'd like to try to get over there today for some more tomatoes. Is it very big?

I can't speak from personal experience, Amy, but this listing on the Louisville Green Guide suggests that it's an afternoon event. You might try calling the listed number and see if you can get it confirmed.

<b>St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church Market</b>
June 2 - October, Saturdays 10am-1pm, Tuesdays 4-6:30pm
Fruits, vegetables, plants and cut flowers, goat milk and honey products.
Wolf Pen Branch Road at US Hwy 42, 812-968-3693

Amy,

The market is alot smaller than Bardstown Road, but bigger than some of the really small ones. Good news is that the largest produce vendor is organic, local AND I found his prices to be much better than some of the other markets. He had tons of tomatoes two weeks ago when I went. I'm heading over there this afternoon too.

Deb