I LOVE this time of year for this very reason. I adore farmers markets. Usually you can find me and Aaron there every Saturday morning around 8:30. I really enjoy going and use it as a grocery store substitute for produce in the spring/summer season. Why do I like it so much? Glad you asked!
- I'm one of those people who really enjoys going grocery shopping, so any chance to shop for food, I'm in. Plus, the chance to do so outside in some nice weather? Sign me up
- I like having the variety of options to choose from. Sure a lot of the stands sell the same stuff, but I can walk around and see what the best deal is or who has the best asparagus or cantaloupe. Then when I know which food I want, I can go get my three green bell peppers for $2.00, or $.50 cucumber. Also, (and this may sound geeky to you guys) it's giving me a chance to learn more about picking produce, good or bad. Sight, texture, smell - it's all in how you choose
- It helps us control portions and eliminate waste. We only buy what we need for the week and then when we need to restock, we go back. I buy produce at every stage of ripening so that the food lasts throughout the week and none is wasted due to going bad. And OK, to some it may seem like a hassle to keep going back, but, we wouldn't keep doing it if we didn't want to. So there
- The food is grown by local farmers and it's always nice to support local farms in your community
- Often, the prices are somewhat lower than grocery stores. It's always a benefit to save on food and keep your pockets full of money and less filled with a fat ass (ya know, 'cuz you're eating fruit and veggies) :)
- Not only can you get produce, but oh my gosh the flowers! They're so pretty! Every time I go it takes everything I have not to steal an orchid, but damn, they are gorgeous. Kinda pricey - but worth every penny in beauty. (purple or white orchids - in case anyone was feeling generous. haha)
- Other local food and shops in the area. I don't know about anywhere else, but the City Market in Kansas City (downtown) has some of the best local restaurants. Burrito Brothers, Carollo's Italian Deli (best. sandwiches.ever), and if you know me well enough then you know I have an affinity for asian cuisine and Hien Vuong - Vietnamese food, it's delicious! There's also some really cute shops and vendors that are down there selling interesting knick knacks (and I stress the word interesting).
- Oh! I can't believe I almost forgot this. It ties into the previous bullet point regarding vendors. There is one vendor Aaron and I go to every time we're at the market (if they're there). Please forgive me that I can't remember their name (some loyal customer I am right?) but they make really good handmade soap. It's a woman and her husband, just under a pop up shade tent, with their little set up of soaps and there's a lot of variety and they all smell really good! Personally, I generally like/prefer to use something like soap in this capacity. It's natural and not packaged in a plastic bottle. So if you're into it and you're ever at the farmers market there, check them out. I'll put it on here if I remember the name.
So yea, those are just some reasons why I enjoy partaking in the farmers market experience. If you want to check out your local farmers market then, great! If not and you're comfortable with getting your produce from the grocery store or some other alternative, then that's cool too. As long as you're buying and eating fruits and veggies, you won't hear me doggin' on you. Now, this...well....that's a whole blog entry in itself.
*Also, if you ever visit a market, bring bags with you. Normally they have plastic bags there to hand out, but it is way more environmentally friendly to bring your own bags - whether they're canvas grocery bags, backpacks, or other plastic bags you've saved up.
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