Need advice? Ask the grower.

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I hope by now many of you have had a chance to visit the market as we begin a new season. I was there on opening day, doing my usual thing--taking pictures of lettuce, closeups of radishes or the tangled roots of spring onions, and jotting down shopping lists and notes in my notebook. As I wandered around from stand to stand I was struck by what a personal experience it is to shop locally and to buy your food from the person who grew it or prepared it. Many times I stood in the background and listened to the advice:

"Make sure you bring your hanging basket in if the temperature drops below 40..."

"I love to sautée those in a pan with some olive oil and garlic...Add it to rice or white beans..."

"If it's a stronger tasting green, combine it with a starch...."

"Cut the ends of those one more time when you get home. They'll last longer..."

It is a good reminder to not be afraid to ask the vendors questions:
What is this?
How does it taste?
What do you do with it?
How do you cook it?
How does it grow?
What should I look for when I pick one?

The farmers' market provides such a unique opportunity to interact directly with the people who are providing the food that you put on your table. It's an experience you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else in our retail community. I hope you'll take advantage of it.

Be sure to check out the sidebar on our blog for a list of what's in season right now at the farmers' market. Make your shopping list and we'll see you at there!!

Comments

[Christine]

Bought some asparagus this weekend...it was DELICIOUS!!!! Hope there's more next week!

[Lee]

What is the best time to get to the market? Is 8:30 too late?