Dig into markets’ offerings with classes, tours

Farmers markets and co-ops are offering classes and tours this week that will help you meet local farmers and learn how to cook with their produce.

• Experts from Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children’s Hospital will be at the Spokane Farmers Market today to share tips on using fresh fruits and vegetables from local growers.

Michelle Duke and Linette Giesa will teach guests how to make a tasty salad and fruit cobbler from 9 until 11:30 a.m. They’ll talk about the nutritional value of produce and offer samples of recipes made at Sacred Heart from food donated by the farmers.

The nutritionists also will teach children at St. Anne’s Children’s and Family Center, located across the street from the market, the value of eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Spokane Farmers Market is held in the field along Fifth Avenue, between Browne and Division streets, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. each Wednesday and Saturday.

• The Community Building, 35 W. Main Ave., is sponsoring a tour of Gary and So Angell’s Rocky Ridge Ranch from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Tour the ranch to see the Berkshire hogs, Angus and Wagyu cattle, ducks, chickens, turkeys and the garden.

The Angells sell their goods at the Millwood and South Perry farmers markets as well as the Rocket Market at 726 E. 43rd Ave. on Spokane’s South Hill.

The tour is $15 and participants will meet at the Main Market Co-op to carpool to the farm about 45 minutes away. A sack lunch is included, made with ingredients from the farm and prepared by Rocket Market chef Shilo Pierce.

For more information go to www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/121366 or call Jennifer Hall, community food builder, at (509) 209-2395.

• The Moscow Food Co-op is celebrating National Farmers Market week with tours of farms that sell produce at the Tuesday Growers Market.

The tours Sunday are free and open to the public. They include Kyle Bujnicki and Daryl Swanstrom of Tourmaline Farms/Avon Eggs; Denice Moffat and Michael Robison of Elk Meadow Farm; Debi and Dave Smith of Ravencroft; and Bobbi Calentine of Spring Valley Gardens.

To sign up for a tour, and receive maps of the farms, guidelines and forms, e-mail Carol Spurling at outreach@ moscowfood.coop or call her at (208) 669-0763.

Farms will be selling lamb, chicken, wool, refreshments, produce, vintage fabric handbags, jewelry, scarves, dolls, handmade birdbaths and other crafts during the tours.

The Moscow Food Co-op is at 121 E. Fifth St. in downtown Moscow, Idaho.