There is something so romantic and foodie wrapped together
in your local farmers market. Is it the piles of fresh vegetables just waiting
to be grilled, or sauteed with your new infused olive oil, or the salad fixings
that would make even the non-veggie head take a bite? Whatever it is, there is
a feeling that encompasses you when you visit the market to pick up your
vegetables, bread or sample the food vendors offerings.
I have spent my entire childhood at a farmers market on the
weekends, courtesy of parents owning a natural foods bakery, and now make it a
point in my “grown-up” life to visit my local market on a regular basis. I
think it holds several appeals for me-I get to be outside, I experience my
neighborhood in a new way each time, I enjoy establishing relationships with my
favorite vendors and there is nothing more exciting than taking the morning’s
haul back home and planning out grilling sessions or dinners to showcase the
favorite pick.
Farmers Markets offer the best of so many worlds, it’s a perfect
“date” to stroll around on a Saturday morning with a cup of coffee and your
more established significant other. Hey, everyone looks good in sunglasses and
lazy morning outfits or workout clothes after your morning run, yoga or hike…
Check and see if you have a Farmers Market that is mid-week with more of an
evening theme…think beer garden and live music. It’s the perfect after work
place to meet friends, your new interest or to meet your new interest. I
am a firm believer that doing activities you enjoy will engage you with like
minded people… and if you don’t know what to do with the random bag of fava
beans or pea shoots that you just so happened to pick up…maybe he or she will.
Favorite Farmers Markets:
Seattle- While not a traditional Farmers Market, the Pike Place Market is home to lots of veggies, crafts and fish swinging and singing fish mongers.
Ithaca, NY- The Ithaca Farmers Market is the largest outdoor farmers market on the East Coast. And everything is grown within 30 miles of the waterfront location.
