Eugene makes Bon Appetit's list of 'foodiest' towns
By Andrew SegalEUGENE, Ore. - Countless varieties of carrots with names like the "Atomic Red," Gourmet onions transplanted from Italy -- for sale in the city's center three times a week. Eugene is one of the foodiest small towns in America -- at least according to Bon Appetit magazine's October issue. And there's one particular reason we rank so high: our farmers markets and what the magazine calls a "thriving farm-to-table culture." The winning combination is on display at the Hey Bayles! Farm in Lorane, southwest of Eugene. It's home to rows of vegetables ready to be harvested in just a few days. Owner John Poynter grows four types of carrots, three types of onions and even six different mustard greens. It may sound fancy, but then again this is foodie Eugene -- where there's always a market for it. "It would be pointless to grow it if people weren't buying it," Poynter said. The farmers' markets that have sprouted up all over town -- and the large variety of produce they sell -- has earned Eugene a spot in the top six foodiest small towns. Poynter said that based on what he sees at the markets, he's not surprised. "You'll see costata zuchini, which is an Italian coastal zuchini, it's not just a regular zuchini," he said. "And you'll see the cipollini onions, which aren't just an onion, they're a great gourmet-type flat onion." Bon Appetit calls Eugene a "home cooks's paradise," and Poynter said the farmers' markets help that happen. "Take carrots," he said. "It's not just a carrot. There's the mokums that are fresh eaters, there's the nelsons that are great cooked, the atomic reds that are great roasted. It's all the opportunities that people have to really explore the culinary side." Poynter said he hopes the national recognition will encourage people who don't visit the markets to veg out and give them a try. And if you're wondering what Bon Appetit thinks is the the number one foodiest small city, it's Durham-Chapel Hill, NC. |
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