I can't wait until we eat tonight. Are we heading to a fancy restaurant? No, we are dining at home (one of my favorite places to eat) on a meal courtesy of Mother Nature and our local farmers market.

Okay, let me see if I can make you hungry. We'll be cooking fresh zipper cream peas, baked butternut squash with a touch of maple syrup, sliced bright red tomatoes and cucumbers and for dessert, a big bowl of fresh peaches, muscadines and scuppernongs.

I'll add last night's leftover baked chicken and whole wheat bagels to round out the meal.

It is worth the time to make a delicious and nutritious meal that is locally grown and affordable.

In addition to the foods listed above, here are some other fresh produce from the Hall County Farmers Market: tomatoes, corn, peppers, okra, squash, green beans, peas (three varieties), white and sweet potatoes, eggplants (seven varieties), cabbage, turnip greens, collards, beets and cucumbers. In addition to muscadines, we have peaches, pears and apples coming in soon. You can also purchase cut flowers and bedding plants.

Now that I have made you hungry, come on by and check out the freshest fruits and vegetables at the Hall County Farmers Market 6 a.m. until sellout on Tuesday and 7 a.m. - noon, or until sellout, on Saturday.

The Hall County Farmers Market is located on the corner of East Crescent Drive and Jesse Jewell Parkway near Interstate 985 at exit 24 about 2 1/2 miles from downtown. The market will remain open until the end of October.

Debbie Wilburn is county extension agent in family
and consumer science with the Hall County Extension. Contact: 770-535-8290.