Organic origins: Downtown Summerlin farmers market debuts

Jan Hogan View staff writer

10 years ago

Janet Knight, right, talks to shoppers about her organic produce at the new farmers market in Downtown Summerlin March 14, 2015. Organizers say this farmers market is the only one in the Las Vegas area where 90 percent of its produce is organic and free of pesticides. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/View) (Click for more photos)

Dalia Sager, center, holds winter squash and kale while shopping at the Downtown Summerlin farmers market March 14, 2015. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/View)

Shoppers explore the Downtown Summerlin farmers market March 14, 2015 as an array of vegetables sits ready for sale. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/View)

Collin Bryan prepares Jamaican jerk chicken on the grill at the Downtown Summerlin farmers market March 14, 2015. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/View)

Bonnie Fogel, left, sells organic mushrooms to Lance Jerrel at the Downtown Summerlin farmers market March 14, 2015. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/View)

Kingston Peterkin, 4, holds organic broccoli and a vegan brownie at the Downtown Summerlin farmers market March 14, 2015. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/View)

Gianna Ramirez checks out fresh flowers at the Downtown Summerlin farmers market March 14, 2015. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/View)

Kerry Clasby, a professional forager and organic farm owner, poses for a photo at the Downtown Summerlin farmers market March 14, 2015. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/View)

Bonnie Fogel cuts organic rogue creamery cheese at the Downtown Summerlin farmers market March 14, 2015. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/View)

Robin Renken, right, talks to Stuart Yaffe, produce manager, while shopping at the Downtown Summerlin farmers market March 14, 2015. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/View)

Downtown Summerlin’s farmers market opened March 14 and attracted a number of eager shoppers. The intent of the weekly event, curated by Kerry Clasby, aka The Intuitive Forager, is to offer at least 90 percent of its produce as organic and pesticide-free. On hand were a wide selection of fruits and vegetables, some varieties not usually available through mainstream sources.

Clasby has been an organic specialist for more than a decade and provides foraging knowledge for celebrity chefs throughout the country. Her team assists consumers in making more conscious food choices when selecting food items. Throughout the season, plans are for the market to also host cooking demonstrations, live music, classes dedicated to ecological stewardship and tasting events.

The farmers market is set to run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays on Festival Plaza Drive between Rosemary Park and Oval Park drives. For more information, visit downtownsummerlin.com.