Free food tastings, classes offered Saturday at Winter Farmers’ Market

The Winter Farmers’ Market, located in the gym at St. Mary’s School, 323 Vermont Avenue in Oak Ridge, is offering a series of free market workshops on healthy eating and gardening this winter.

On Saturday, January 25, at 11 a.m., Dr. Elaine Bunick will present “Healthy Eating on a Budget,” with a variety of healthy foods to sample and recipes to share. Bunick is a retired endocrinologist who has helped hundreds of patients manage diabetes and other lifestyle-related diseases, a press release said. Bunick says she wants “kids and adults to see how good healthy eating can be.”

The UT Extension Service will also be at the market, offering healthy recipes and food tastings as well. The market is open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., through March. 

For children, the Anderson County Health Department’s public health educator Sabrina Greene will present an “All About Veggies” activity. Plus, the market’s popular Power of Produce Club will offer free vegetable tastings for children 12 and under. Those who take two bites get $2 to spend on fruits and vegetables in the market.

Live music at the market this weekend will be provided by Vernon Lindsey and the Early Bird Special Band, featuring 1960s coffeehouse folk, classic country, pop, and rock oldies.

Each week at the Winter Farmers’ Market, more than 30 local vendors offer locally grown produce, meat, fish, cheese, eggs, honey and artisan breads and pastries, along with crafts, hot brewed coffee, and a local food truck providing lunch. An indoor eating area is available.

The market has free entry and accepts debit, credit and SNAP/EBT, which it doubles for fresh fruits and vegetables, the press release said. For more information visit www.GrowOakRidge.org/markets.