Question of the Day - 23 June 2015

Las Vegas actually has not one, but multiple farmers markets; in fact, there's barely a day in the week (weather permitting) when you can't attend a farmers market somewhere in the Las Vegas Valley, with more than one to choose from some days (someone should consider moving one of the many Thursday events to the currently "dead" Monday or Tuesday spot, we would suggest). They operate under several main franchises, and note that the markets are where vendors, both local and from neighboring states, come to sell their produce and wares; the markets don't grow the fruit 'n' veggies, as the phrasing of your question seems to imply:

• To the best of our knowledge, Las Vegas Farmers Market is the most established brand, having been operating for more than 20 years. Regular (but seasonal) events take place each Wednesday (Bruce Trent Park, 1600 N. Rampart Blvd.. from 4-8 p.m.); Thursday (Gardens Park, 10401 Gardens Park Dr., also 4-8 p.m.); and every other Saturday (Floyd Lamb Park, 9100 Tule Spring Rd., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. first/third Sat. of each month - mention you're going to the farmer's market and the park admission fee is waived). Visit the official website for a list of what produce is currently in season. You'll also find other artisanal fare, including honey, eggs, herbs, homemade relishes, locally roasted coffee, and baked goods, plus art, crafts, jewelry, soap, lotions, and more for sale. Note that these markets close for a few months during the winter, reopening early March.
• Fresh52 is another big player on the Las Vegas farmers-market scene, with two weekly year-round events: Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tivoli Village (302 S. Rampart) and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the other side of town at Sansone Park Place (9480 S. Eastern Ave.) Local vendors you'll find attending on a regular basis include: Herbs By Diane (fresh/dried herbs/blends out of Boulder City); Frankly Good Coffee (locally roasted beans, also out of Boulder City); Pahrump Honey Company; Las Vegas Kettle Corn; and Winder Farms. Most of the fresh produce comes from neighboring Californian enterprises, including: G&S Farms (corn, melons, green beans, and cherries); Triple Delight (blueberries); Success Valley Farms (strawberries); Olson Family Farms (peaches, plums, and other stone fruits); Angel's Produce Farm (beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cilantro, collards, daikon, dill, fennel, figs, garlic, kale, leeks, lemons, lettuce, mint, onions, oregano, potatoes, radish, rosemary, rutabaga, spinach, sunchoke, swiss chard, and turnips); and KMK (avocados, apricots, peaches, white nectarines, plums, pluots, cherries, and figs).
• The third, appropriately enough, is named Downtown3rd and is the largest indoor farmers market in town. After some temporary digs, both indoors and out, this Friday market is now safely ensconced in its own custom-designed home located at US-95 and Casino Center Drive. It's open weekly, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., selling everything from exotic hummus flavors (jalapeno-lime; roasted red beet) to homegrown garlic, homemade candies, home-bottled pickles, gourmet street food, fresh flowers, herbs and spices, and a gorgeous array of organic fruits and vegetables from local growers and farms in California, Utah, Arizona, and Colorado.
• Henderson is home to the Country Fresh Farmers Market, which takes place on Thursday (9 a.m.-4 p.m., 240 Water St.) and Friday (10 a.m.-4 p.m., 200 S.Green Valley Pkwy.), featuring dozens of local and California farmers and vendors selling in-season organic produce and farm-fresh products, including (currently) strawberries, tomatoes, squash, leafy greens, stone fruits, honey, nuts, eggs, fresh-baked breads and pastries, roasted coffee, loose leaf tea, homemade salsa, kettle corn, gourmet pastas, and more.
• Henderson also hosts the seasonal Connors Farmers Market weekly on Thursday afternoons at The District, but this is currently on hiatus for the hot summer months, set to return September 3.
• For awhile, Chef Mario Batali hosted his own farmers market at various venues around town, concluding with the Springs Preserve. His "Bet on the Farm"-branded event ended some while ago, but was reborn as the weekly Green Chef's Farmers Market which takes place each Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (summer hours) in the Desert Living space and features fresh local sustainable produce, flowers, plants, herbs, and baked goods, plus you can take advantage of gardening workshops, cooking demonstrations, and children's activities. The event is free to attend.
• Every Sunday, rain or shine, On the Ranch Farmers & Artisan Market takes place at 628 W. Craig Road (behind the skate park). Summer hours currently are running 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with local and neighboring vendors selling non-GMO produce, meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, beverages, prepackaged and cooked-to-order foods, baked goods, sweet treats, health and beauty products, pet care items, jewelry, artisan crafts, books, and music. There are food trucks on hand for your on-the-spot eating needs, plus you can take advantage of some gardening tips, chef demos, a dog park, and more.
• The newest addition to the Las Vegas artisinal-produce scene is the Downtown Summerlin Farmers Market, which sounds as if it'll be seasonal, but is currently operating under The Pavilion each Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. In addition to the usual array of produce vendors, this one's promising cooking demonstrations, live music, classes dedicated to "ecological stewardship," and "farmers and artisan tasting events" (we assume that it's their produce and wares you get to taste, not the farmers and the artisans themselves, but this is Vegas, so we await confirmation on that).

A reader wrote in to remind us about Gilcrease Orchard, which we had not forgotten. The place has had something of a checkered/controversial history in recent years, but this veteran pick-your-own facility seems to be on more solid ground now, and is currently offering deals like zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, and summer squash for $1 per lb and cantaloupe for 50 cents per lb. Summer hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from 6:30 to 11:30 a.m.