On Friday afternoon a week ago, as I set out to run my errands before the weekend, I decided to take the scenic route to East Columbus down Military Road and Highway 12 to Lehmberg. As I passed Wolf Road to my left, I noticed Beard’s Produce that I had frequented in the past. Somehow it had slipped my mind this spring. I adore a good produce stand. There’s something just so nostalgic and reminiscent of a simpler time. And so I vowed to swing back by on my way home to pick up a few things for our first summer soiree of the season.
I figured they wouldn’t have much in stock, as it is early in the growing season for our area, but boy, was I wrong.
The minute I stepped out of my car I could smell the earthy aromas of fresh produce in the air — onions, cabbage, new potatoes, and … cantaloupe? Isn’t a little early for cantaloupe? In our area, yes, but Mrs. Beard explained to me that in the spring they get their produce from South Alabama and Florida, which have a slightly different growing season than we do here in the Golden Triangle. The warmer temperatures south of us mean earlier harvests of tomatoes, squash, eggplant, cucumbers, and yes, even cantaloupe — fruits and veggies we don’t usually see locally until around the end of May.
Well, let me just tell you, I was in heaven! Not only did I get fruit and veggies for Friday night, Saturday night, and the patio party we hosted that Sunday night, but my entire box of wholesome goodies was only $20. Yep, 20 bucks for tomatoes, cucumbers, yellow squash, sweet onions, spring onions, redskin potatoes, an eggplant, a cabbage, a cantaloupe and even some Florida oranges. That should put to rest the myth that eating healthy is just too expensive.
If you don’t know exactly what to do with something, say spring onions, for example (I mistook them for leeks. Woopsie.), Mrs. Beard will be happy to show you how to prep it and even give you some ideas on how to cook it up.
For the spring onions, she suggested I serve them raw as they are very mild. So I chopped up some cucumbers, tomatoes and the spring onions, added cilantro, parsley, and dill from my own herb garden, seasoned the salad with sea salt and fresh cracked pepper, then tossed it with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette. It was a hit with my husband (who “doesn’t like” cucumbers) and at the party. It was simple, fresh and delicious.
In addition to produce, Beard’s also carries fresh brown eggs from their own backyard chickens, Amish cheeses and butters, and a vast selection of Amish and other canned goods. Chow-chow, anyone?
The produce stand is owned and operated by Donald and Linda Beard off of Military Road, just past Wolf Road. They are open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday’s from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Leah Sullivan of Columbus has been on a productive journey to a healthier lifestyle and shares some of her experiences with Dispatch readers. Follow {Nourish} on Facebook.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.