Every spring I look forward to the first Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market. It bursts with colorful vegetables, fruits and plants. There's delicious food, fantastic crafts, dogs and a whole lot of people.

But LDFM must come to an end every year, as it finally gets cold outside. The market rests from mid-October until mid-June, aligning with the growing season.

Despite that, there are many crops that grow in the cold and many crops can be preserved. Delicate, buttery oyster mushrooms are grown inside. Hens don't stop laying eggs, and the cows must still be milked.

The West Texas Growers and Producers Association has been together for quite some time, but now they are offering Lubbock a much needed option: A year-round, indoor farmer's market located at 4843 50th St called Farmers Pantry.

Selections will be seasonal (of course) but will include "everything from beans and vegetables to baked goods and meat, and a few non-food items such as soap" according to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.

Not only is local produce better for the environment and the local economy, but it's better for you. Vegetables and fruits that are less stressed by transportation and processing yield higher nutritional content.

You can also take the opportunity to sign up with my friends at Good Earth Recycling while you're there. The group donate proceeds from recycled materials to Texas Tech scholarships.

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