Farmers markets offer a bumper crop of tasty treats

It's one of my favorite parts of summer — fresh veggies and produce. There is nothing tastier than a tomato or cucumber (or, for that matter, any vegetable) that you can wander out to the garden and pick straight off the vine.

The sad part of life is that we can't all have gardens because of space, gardening skills (or my lack thereof) and a combination of the two. Fortunately, there are several outstanding farmers markets in Bonner County — the Sandpoint Farmers Market and the Hope Farmers Market.

Saturday, the Sandpoint Farmers Market opened for its 17th year with all of your regular favorites, including all kinds of plants and produce, flowers, food, crafts and more. The market, located at Farmin Park, is open at Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 3-5:30 p.m.

The Hope Farmers Market is packed with great produce, plenty of fresh-baked goodies and all kinds of crafts and home-made gifts. The market, located at the Hope Community Memorial Center, is open on Fridays from 3-6 p.m.

Not only are the veggies tastiest because they don't ripen on a tractor-trailer en route from California, you're also supporting local farmers and growers. Talk about your proverbial win-win situation.

Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Daily Bee.