DON’T DILLY-DALLY!

Now is the time to make the most of summer’s bounty. Join us Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, at the Dallas Farmers Market as we relish the opportunity to cultivate the art of preservation and pickling all weekend long.

The Shed is currently overflowing with tomato, peach, pepper, melon, and watermelon varieties, plus cucumbers and okra abound. With all this abundance, we are offering a pickling workshop both Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to noon (with an option to run longer). Stop by the tent at the front of The Shed to purchase a $10 ticket for making refreshing refrigerator pickles. The ticket includes the jar you fill with fresh veggies, seasonings, and brine, as well as a custom label you may decorate. You’ll also receive instructions on how to store the pickles at home. The first five people who visit the pickling tent each day receive a free ticket to the workshop, so don’t dill-ay your visit!

For more fun, Balloon Art by Bender is twisting up unique creations and producing lots of smiles all day Saturday and Sunday. Plus, our Kids’ Activity from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., also on Saturday and Sunday, features a silly pickle craft to get the little ones in on the action of preserving the moment.

Don’t let summer’s best produce at the Dallas Farmers Market pass you by. Head to The Shed this weekend to gather fresh inspiration, fill your totes, and take home everything you need to preserve the best flavors of summer.

Buy in Bulk at Night Market

Looking for bulk purchases for your special batches? There’s Night Market! For those who remember the “old” DFM, with produce-packed sheds and lined-up 18-wheelers, Night Market has the same energy and offers the scale and variety many of our longtime customers crave. Thursday Night Market runs every week, year-round, from 9:00 p.m. Thursday to 9:00 a.m. Friday (weather permitting). The Sunday Night Market is our seasonal addition, running from 9:00 p.m. Saturday to 9:00 a.m. Sunday, typically from May through November.

When planning a visit, please note that the best time to shop is between midnight and 2:00 a.m., when most vendors are on site, and the produce selection is at its peak. Night Market is primarily geared toward wholesale buyers, restaurants, and farm stands, so most goods are sold by the box or pallet. However, this also makes it ideal for individuals looking to stock up on large quantities for pickling, canning, preserving, or fermenting. (A few vendors may sell smaller quantities, but if you’re shopping for just a few pounds of an item, weekend visits to The Shed are probably a better fit.) On any given night, we typically host five to eight farmers, who arrive not in pickups but with box trucks and semis full of high-volume, high-quality produce.

If it’s your first time, start with Kelley Produce, our longtime anchor vendor, who’s always stocked and ready to help. Right now, they’re loaded with okra, pickling cucumbers, jalapeños, and other peppers. If you’re in need of sauce tomatoes, please speak with Keith, who can get them if you’d like to place an order. Regular favorites like Fretwell Farm and Saxon Farms are usually on hand, too. Right now, Fretwell is bringing in beautiful peppers, while Saxon is loaded with gorgeous tomatoes. You may also stop by the Information Desk located in the center of The Shed to get the full vendor lineup for the night and a heads-up on what produce is available. If you’re looking for serious volume, great prices, and a unique way to shop under the lights, Night Market delivers.

Cool Down as the Music Heats Up

Mother Nature gave us a brief break this week, but it’s still important to take it easy in the North Texas summer heat. Preserve your stamina by grabbing a cool drink, a few light bites, and a comfortable seat, then chill out for a bit with live music from local artists throughout the Dallas Farmers Market.

Saturday, July 18

• 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Live Music inside The Shed featuring C-Jay
• 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Live Music inside The Market featuring Rosy L

Sunday, July 19

• 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Live Music inside The Market featuring Ob