Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Weekend at farmers' markets

We spent our anniversary doing one of my favorite things. Visiting local farmers' markets. Talking with like minded people and visiting with old and not so old friends. I enjoy everything about market except those who are there "commercially". The big boys realized the potential profit in selling at market and swoop in with their goods convincing customers that their conventionally grown zucchini (in MAY) was produced with the same love and care as the small sustainable grower with only a few lugs of spinach and asparagus to sell. It is hard enough for market customers to understand the importance of eating locally and seasonally with out these growers making seasonal eating as unnatural as strawberries in February.

I did however meet an interesting new grower selling both conventionally and organically grown produce from the same stand. I wonder how he justifies that in his own mind. Nice enough man, he tried preaching to this choir about locally grown food. I was disappointed he was more interested in talking at me than with me. I think I'll check back with him and see if his customer service skills improve with the season.