Don't forget that Hope Artiste Village Farmers' Market is open tomorrow

I went to the Farmers' Market at Hope Artiste Village a couple of weekends ago, and it was spectacular. Talk about shades of Asheville, N.C.! (For those of you who are not familiar with Asheville, think hippies mixed with yuppies and quite a few vegan / gluten-free restaurants)

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Great family event

Farmacy herbs

Schartner Farm's table was busy

This vendor had GF pork and boar sausage

Fresh veggies from the farm

Farmstead artisanal cheese

Langwater Farm veg stand

The girls from EvaRuth's

Lots of samples to try at EvaRuth's table

Jens Retlev of Jens & Marie

Jens Retlev making veggies burgers

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Food trucks are right outside on the street

I went at the invitation of Jens and Marie's, a local company based out of Hope Artiste Village at 1005 Main St. in Pawtucket. Jens and Marie's produces veggie burgers, and they were offering samples of their newest product, a gluten-free vegan burger made with black bean and sweet potato.

I've never had a veggie burger before, so I didn't know what to expect. Obviously, it doesn't taste like meat. The burger patty is a generous 3.75 ounces, and it is cooked from frozen. Just heat it through for a few minutes on each side. The black bean taste is bold, sweetened slightly with the sweet potato. Two patties cost $5. The folks there are really friendly, and seemed to enjoy talking shop with the customers.

The market has a wealth of amazing produce, as well fresh fish, organic beef and poultry, herbs, handmade soap, artisan cheese and so much more! One vendor had pork and boar sausage that was organic, GF and nitrate-free. EvaRuth's had a table of GF goodies with samples to try.

If you have a chance, you should visit. It's open on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. They accept SNAP/EBT, Fresh Bucks, cash, WIC fruit & veggie coupons, and credit cards. They even have a place where you can drop off your veggie scraps to be composted!