Local Goes Global At Duke Farmers Market

The Duke Farmers Market offers some of the freshest local produce around, but this season, it's going global.

Beginning with the first market April 27, the Duke Farmers Market will celebrate its 12th season with an international theme of "Local Foods, Global Flavors." As part of the effort, LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke's employee wellness program and sponsor of the market, will highlight a different country each month of the market, which runs through Sept. 24.

Visitors to the market can pickup free recipe cookbooks featuring international recipes from Duke faculty and staff.

"Being able to offer these local, fresh foods is great because we know our shoppers can taste the difference between what they can get at a grocery store and what they find at the farmers market," said Lauren Updyke, health education manager with LIVE FOR LIFE. "By taking these recipes and using fresh ingredients from the farmers market, it offers everyone the chance to try something new while eating healthy."

The market, located between the Bryan Research and Nanaline H. Duke buildings off Research Drive, features about a dozen local farmers and vendors selling a variety of fresh produce, healthy baked goods and more.

Updyke said this season's global theme came about to recognize Duke's diverse community. To open the first market, local cook Linda Watson will hold a cooking demonstration featuring collards to celebrate Brazil. The "Local Foods, Global Flavors" recipe cookbook will also be available at no charge. The cookbook will feature nine international recipes - one a month from April to December.

Lucy McMorris, an administrative assistant with Duke Hospital's administrative systems and nursing payroll, submitted her a recipe for orzo salad - a dish with origins in the Mediterranean. She's made the orzo salad recipe for about 15 years.

"I like to use tomatoes in my salad and everything tastes better with in-season tomatoes," she said. "It's easy to find good food choices at the market and the local farmers also give you good ideas for things to prepare."

In addition to farm-fresh produce and the new cookbook, employees can also buy special gifts at the market.

During "Duke Appreciation" in May, faculty and staff can give produce away through the "MARKET-GRAM" program. Vendors will sell special arrangements of flowers, fruits, coffee beans and other products as MARKET-GRAM specials priced from $3 to $12.

Employees who purchase an item can then pick up from the LIVE FOR LIFE table a free MARKET-GRAM bookmark gift tag with messages like "You're a peach" and "Working at Duke with you is sweet."