After School Snacks from the Farmers Market in Fernandina

We compiled some tasty treats and recipe ideas from the farmers market in Fernandina Beach that are healthy and easy.

The kids are back in school and what better way to plan your breakfasts, sack lunches, and after school snacks than using fresh ingredients from your local farmers’ market? The Fernandina Beach Market Place a/k/a the Amelia Island Market Place, has done just that! We compiled a list of some tasty treats, that are healthy and easy, for you and your family to enjoy.

You will say, “oui, oui” to this French toast twist: take two thick slices of Maria’s Bakery’s cinnamon brioche bread and dredge it in an egg, milk and vanilla bath, then grill to perfection and top with fresh blackberries from King’s Kountry Produce, and blackberry/vanilla bean jam from Shepperd’s Farms.

Another great breakfast would be a slice of Great Harvest Bread Company’s pumpkin chocolate chip tea bread topped with a thin layer of plain goat cheese from Blue Moon Creamery.

Rudy’s oven fresh bagels with Joy of Garlic’s sun dried tomato garlic spread is another great way to start your day.

The American staple for lunch is no longer a plain peanut butter and jelly sandwich. At the farmers’ market you can mix and match Blue Planet Delight’s organic butters like walnut, cashew, almond, pumpkin, peanut and chocolate cashew with a variety of jellies like peach, raspberry, or blueberry combined with jalapeno’s, or a habanero pineapple or orange flavor. Or savor a more simple jam in apple, grape, peach or strawberry.

A common grilled cheese becomes restaurant worthy when you slice up Ribault Bakery’s fresh, organic sourdough bread and include spicy or plain pimento cheese spreads from Lulu’s at the Thompson House. For even more flavor add a spoonful of Jane’s sweet pickle relish from King’s Kountry Produce to the sandwich before you grill it.

After school snacks are delightfully easy when you slice up seasonal favorites like peaches, plums, seedless cucumbers, pears, watermelon, or sweet red frying peppers from any of our four fresh produce vendors. Or for extra convenience pick up a package of Wook’s beef jerky or Olive My Pickle’s stuffed grape leaves to tame those hardy appetites.

Most kids like pizza, and a fresh pita topped with marinara sauce and pesto, then sprinkled with mozzarella cheese is a great way to serve up a quick and easy pizza.

For these and other great recipe ideas, visit with the vendors at the farmers’ market in historic, downtown Fernandina Beach. Located on N. 7th Street, between Centre and Alachua Streets on Amelia Island, we are open every Saturday, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Music will be provided by the talented Jennifer Burns, and the Surf Restaurant will be our featured brick and mortar business on August 16, 2014.

For information about our pet and family friendly market or booth space availability, you can learn more by liking us on facebook, visiting our website at FernandinaBeachMarketPlace.com, or calling Joe at (904) 557-8229.