You may have seen them around at the Mississippi Farmers Market on your last visit but wasn't quite sure what they were. Not to be confused with sprouts or shoots, microgreens are basically the young version of vegetable greens that are harvested with seed leaves and possibly a set of true leaves. Some people refer to them as "baby plants." Smaller than baby greens, microgreens typically stand a few inches in height and have an aroma that makes you gravitate toward them when you encounter them at the Market!

Fine dining establishments commonly serve microgreens to garnish salads, soups, sandwiches, and meats. At home, you can also add them to your pizzas, omelets, stir fries, and pastas.

Upscale grocers sell them in their produce sections as "specialty greens." Since microgreens have a short shelf life, purchasing them from a farmers market is ideal for the freshest options. At the Mississippi Farmers Market, you'll find radish microgreens, arugula microgreens, and red acre cabbage microgreens, among others.

When storing your microgreens, make sure to keep them from sunlight and place them in a cool place. Wash them gently when preparing them for meals.

To add a pop of color and aroma to your next meal, stop by the Market this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. to explore and choose from the varieties offered!

Explore the different ways you can garnish your meals and beverages with the Market's microgreens by clicking the button below.

Last Saturday's Market was very fun and refreshing! Nothing welcomes the summertime feelings more than an open-air shopping environment. Shoppers wore masks and other protective coverings and only touched items that they intended to purchase. Practicing physical distancing appeared to have become second nature for everyone as we all have become accustomed to the "new normal" of the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bright colors of peppers, squash varieties, and more produce and plants gave every corner of the Market a "splash" of summer joy. An exchange of smiling faces, light conversations, and enthusiasm among shoppers, vendors, and market managers filled the scene with good vibes.

Whether you are picking up muscadines, peaches, a watermelon, boiled peanuts, home-roasted coffee, or something else, getting out of the house for essentials is fun when visiting the Market. Purchasing directly from the grower is a unique experience in itself. This allows honest, informed answers to questions about the origin of what you are buying and great tips on how to care for or cook what your are picking up. Our local, hard-working agriculturists and foodies work hard, and buying from them allows us to help our local economy.

Place your order in advance by contacting the participating vendors listed above. After placing your order, you would simply pick up your items from the Market during hours of operation.

On Saturdays, be on the lookout for vendors on BOTH sides of the Market—the east and the west. You can stop by the Market on this Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.