At Central Market, we try to source as many local products as possible, especially when it comes to local produce.  The shorter the distance that fruit or veggie has to travel, the fresher it is when it gets into your mouth!  Well, right now at Central Market Fort Worth we have some of the local-iest local produce to be found – homegrown Asparagus from B&G Gardens in Poolville, Texas, located just outside Weatherford in Parker County.

Ben Walker and Greg Johnson are the owners of B & G's Garden, and they supply their impeccable quality produce to elite markets and restaurants in Fort Worth.  Ben Walker is an active member of The Tarrant County Master Gardeners Association, a non-profit organization that teaches the basics of gardening in the state of Texas. The organization is affiliated with Texas A&M University and the Texas Agricultural Extension Service.  Ben has been a member of the Tarrant County Master Gardeners Group since1988, and he currently serves as the President of the Cowtown Farmers' Market.

But what are we really here for?  FOOD!  B&G Gardens grows the most mouth-watering fresh asparagus, and it's available now at CM Fort Worth – but don't wait, because the season for fresh asparagus in North Texas is fairly short, and you don't want to miss out on this local gem.  Did you know that, contrary to popular belief, well-grown jumbo asparagus is just as tender as standard or pencil-size?  B&G Gardens also grows Kiowa Blackberries, the largest of the southern blackberries, which will be available beginning approximately in mid-May, so keep an eye out for them.  They are the longest-fruiting of the southern varieties, available for about 6 weeks every year, and they have a good level of sweetness (about 10% sugar content), large size and delicious flavor.

B&G Gardens offers a homegrown, just-picked freshness to customers of Central Market Fort Worth, so please stop by soon and pick up a bunch of asparagus, and don't forget to Go Texan this summer with fresh blackberries.