Have you ever found a happier person to sell you a red bell pepper or a hunk of home made cheese than the people working at the farmers market? Talk about cutting out the middle man, maybe Wal-mart should take a lesson from these gals and guys. They grow it and sell it, all in the same region! I think part of understanding the joy that comes along with this process is growing something for yourself one day, but we'll save that for another week.
After cancelling out fast food chains last week I decided week six would be a good one to start a new ritual of going to the farmers market at least once a week for the rest of the year in an effort to be more local. I did make a point of going quite a bit last year but this year I wanted to make more of a commitment to it. After all, if we work hard for the money we earn then why not support people doing the same thing? Yeah sometimes the prices may be slightly higher than those at Kroger but I think the the people standing outside in the 10-25 degree weather all winter probably deserve the extra quarter or two. Not to mention sometimes the prices are actually cheaper and a great bunch of them are not treating their products with the same chemical attention that most produce in stores retain.
After cancelling out fast food chains last week I decided week six would be a good one to start a new ritual of going to the farmers market at least once a week for the rest of the year in an effort to be more local. I did make a point of going quite a bit last year but this year I wanted to make more of a commitment to it. After all, if we work hard for the money we earn then why not support people doing the same thing? Yeah sometimes the prices may be slightly higher than those at Kroger but I think the the people standing outside in the 10-25 degree weather all winter probably deserve the extra quarter or two. Not to mention sometimes the prices are actually cheaper and a great bunch of them are not treating their products with the same chemical attention that most produce in stores retain.
In Blacksburg we are fortunate enough to have this little gem downtown which is open year round on Saturdays and open Wednesday and Saturday from March-December. Last year another separate market even popped up on South Main St providing two different opportunities. Some of the regular items would include fresh baked bread, honey, flowers, eggs, vegetables, cheese, berries, fruits, homemade baked goods, pottery and meat. (In fact this is the only place I will buy meat that is not fish these days.) If you aren't into cooking for yourself some folks even have stands where they will fix you a meal on the spot while using the products from the surrounding stands. All in all a great vibe, no grumpy shoppers, and no runaway buggies to worry about.
Farmers markets have grown into very popular community events over the past years but in some places they are still scarce or seasonal. Since Blacksburg has one all year the biggest challenge I foresee with this goal is traveling. Traveling tends to be the downfall of eating habits for most people. Just take a look at what lines the sides of I-81. As far as food is concerned it is like a Near Years Resolution nightmare. So planning ahead will be key when I am traveling, whether it be to the upcoming Cheaha 50k race or to the beach this summer I'll have to try to find a farmers market somewhere near where I am going or on the way there. My main goal with this is to shop at the Farmers Market initially and then buy the things that I can't find at the market from the grocery store. Here's to being local at least once a week for the rest of 2014!
Farmers markets have grown into very popular community events over the past years but in some places they are still scarce or seasonal. Since Blacksburg has one all year the biggest challenge I foresee with this goal is traveling. Traveling tends to be the downfall of eating habits for most people. Just take a look at what lines the sides of I-81. As far as food is concerned it is like a Near Years Resolution nightmare. So planning ahead will be key when I am traveling, whether it be to the upcoming Cheaha 50k race or to the beach this summer I'll have to try to find a farmers market somewhere near where I am going or on the way there. My main goal with this is to shop at the Farmers Market initially and then buy the things that I can't find at the market from the grocery store. Here's to being local at least once a week for the rest of 2014!
End of Week 6 Update
Going into Saturday morning I knew that I had to get to the farmers market early. Word on the street was that most of the stands sold out of eggs fairly quickly and that was one of the key items on my list of things to buy. I rushed downtown at 9 am only to find out that it opens at 10 during the winter but the early bird gets the worm right (or eggs in this case). People began setting up their booths around 9:45 and brought to my attention that they are strictly forbidden to sell anything before the 10 o'clock bell is rung.
For the next 15 minutes I got to sit around and talk with Teresa and Bruce Caldwell, owners of Cavalier Farms. It was a refreshing reminder of all the hard work that is required and put in by many farmers to supply the huge demand for food in a skyrocketing population. This experience in buying food from a grocery store is lost when 99% of the people working there don't have a direct personal interaction raising the plants or animals that are being sold.
Going into Saturday morning I knew that I had to get to the farmers market early. Word on the street was that most of the stands sold out of eggs fairly quickly and that was one of the key items on my list of things to buy. I rushed downtown at 9 am only to find out that it opens at 10 during the winter but the early bird gets the worm right (or eggs in this case). People began setting up their booths around 9:45 and brought to my attention that they are strictly forbidden to sell anything before the 10 o'clock bell is rung.
For the next 15 minutes I got to sit around and talk with Teresa and Bruce Caldwell, owners of Cavalier Farms. It was a refreshing reminder of all the hard work that is required and put in by many farmers to supply the huge demand for food in a skyrocketing population. This experience in buying food from a grocery store is lost when 99% of the people working there don't have a direct personal interaction raising the plants or animals that are being sold.
Ten o'clock rolled around quickly and all hell broke loose when the lady rung the farmers market triangle. Let me tell you it was nothing short of Wal-mart on Black Friday, might as well have been in the middle of the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. Now let me tell you this was far from the case. In a way it made me sad just being there with only seven other people knowing that so many people were not going to get that same experience that I had with Bill and Teresa that morning. It made me wonder why people are getting psyched and camping out in 10 degree weather to buy DVD players and not getting psyched to actively support a healthy lifestyle and support their neighbors. Then I noticed the regulars. A few people had come up to the Cavalier Farms stand and Teresa and Bruce already knew what they wanted. These were the folks looking for a change or at least helping to create one. It was a blast of fresh air.
It was time to get to shopping , the picture above shows my weekly till minus a brownie because it didn't last long enough for the photo shoot. As can be expected the market is very scarce on vegetables right now but they still have apples, potatoes, bread, meat, jams, honey and various baked goods. Two dozen eggs, a homemade brownie, 6 sweet potatoes and 1.5 pounds of Seed Bread came to $18.60 and I can't wait to go back next week. On to week 7!
Week 6 Totals
Soda - 0 ounces
Water - 19.54 Gallons
Liquor - 0 shots
Tea - 42 cups
Trips to bad places - 0
$ to support neighbors = 18.60
It was time to get to shopping , the picture above shows my weekly till minus a brownie because it didn't last long enough for the photo shoot. As can be expected the market is very scarce on vegetables right now but they still have apples, potatoes, bread, meat, jams, honey and various baked goods. Two dozen eggs, a homemade brownie, 6 sweet potatoes and 1.5 pounds of Seed Bread came to $18.60 and I can't wait to go back next week. On to week 7!
Week 6 Totals
Soda - 0 ounces
Water - 19.54 Gallons
Liquor - 0 shots
Tea - 42 cups
Trips to bad places - 0
$ to support neighbors = 18.60