Shrooms and Sprouts Share a Berth

Looking for a great fresh food deal in Lahaina? There is a new Farmer’s Market open only on weekends.

You’ll find this super source for produce, herbs, and fruits right across from Dan’s Greenhouse and the Wine Corner in the building that formerly housed Hale Zen.

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the tables in front of the eye-catching yellow plantation style building are laden with attractively exhibited legumes, veggies and fruits most sourced locally and all looking rather grand and enticing in the Lahaina sunshine.

Weekend Market in Lahaina

The building owners and market operators, who also own 808Nalu, decided to initiate the farmer’s market in the hopes of building it into a full-time enterprise with Made in Maui artists and crafters inside and the farmer’s market outside. A brilliant idea that we hope comes to fruition. Meanwhile, husband and wife team are busy sourcing their fresh from the farm products displayed with the same eye for marketing and design as their clothing retail stores.

I’d just popped by following the Boomvanger’s Fund-raising Whale Watch last Sunday and being hot and wind-blown, the owners graciously offered me a cup of freshly juiced concoction made up of apples, ginger, and other utterly luscious fresh flavors that simultaneously revived me and about knocked me over.  They definitely should consider bottling that brew!

Whales

Now it was time to tackle the tables laden with veggies whilst creatively considering what I’d make with all those wonderful garden fresh ingredients. A Lamb Stuffed Eggplant perhaps? How about a stir-fry using brilliant white mushrooms, gold, red and green peppers, sprouts and Kula cabbage with a dash of fresh grated ginger for good measure?

Lahaina Market Appealing on Many Levels

The highlight of my shopping excursion was the homemade Mango bread along with fresh, beautifully ripened mangoes, which are not in season currently in Hawaii, making them extra special. I pair the two for a stupendous breakfast treat of French toast stuffed with lilikoi cream cheese (procured from the Farmer’s Market in Honokowai) and fresh mango slices, accented with a dollop of Gazebo’s secret whipped topping (Dream Whip prepared via package directions along with a package of instant butterscotch pudding mix – I do not lie!) A little sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar sets it off nicely as well.

The prices at the Lahaina Farmer’s Market vary – some are exceptionally good value and other items are priced comparable to the grocer, depending on where the items were originally sourced. Everything was of high quality, even in the height of the afternoon sun.

Farm Fresh Produce

If you are a true bargain seeker, note that on Sundays, right after sunset, everything left over from the weekend is sold half price. Nowhere have I seen a better deal than that!