In this era of convenience, we are victims of Stockholm Syndrome. We choose ready made meals or one stop shops in order to fulfill our dietary needs. We want instant gratification - to be mollycoddled. We often chose quickness over quality. A step back into the darkness is occurring.
Visiting the local farmers market was grand. Imagine, the wind is blowing, the sun shining. The urban Heights area is bustling with an eclectic mixture of shoppers and vendors. Activity creates a gentle hum, and vibrant colors of local produce fills every corner. Rows and rows of vendor booths with honest smiles and rough hands welcome you to their booth. The scent of rain, earth, and food fills your nostrils. It's an experience - an inspiring one. It's more than a transaction, one person to another, but a human connection filling the most inherent and primal needs.
Why I choose to buy local:
1) I like knowing my food is grown nearby, and was picked at it's peak. I like knowing my food is from my geographic environment, where it has perfectly-created nutrients for my specific climate.
2) It's cheaper! The variety of fresh and organic produce is much more affordable when compared to a supermarket (Whole Foods, Central Market, Trader Joes). More so, even if the produce is not USDA certified organic (as this is rather costly to ensure), the local produce is lower priced, but is also pesticide and herbicide free. Sounds like a win to me.
3) I like supporting local agriculture and farmers. Instead of supporting massive GMO food factories, I meet human beings - beings who greet me warmly and share their worth with me. The money I spend supports my local economy, and I enjoy the direct interaction. I like removing the sterile and cold experience of a supermarket.
4) Fresher fruits and veggies rock. The products from a farmers market is much fresher. Because it was grown locally, there is a good chance that the apple you buy from the farmer was picked a few days ago. This is virtually impossible in a big supermarket.
5) The taste is yummy - more so than the supermarket. There is no doubt that locally-grown foods just simply taste better. You will never be able to eat a carrot from the grocery store again!
6) Local food preserves genetic diversity. Local farms grow a huge number of varieties to provide a long growing season of crops with an army of eye-catching colors and the best flavor. Many of these varieties are passed down from generation to generation and continue to be grown because they taste good.
7) Local food builds a stronger community. When you buy direct from a farmer, you are re-establishing a time-honored connection between the eater and the grower. Knowing the farmers gives you insight into the seasons, the weather, and the miracle of raising food.
8) It's fun! I had a great time with Emma. We talked about colors, and she held Kevin's hand. At first she was nervous, shyly smiling at the vendors, but by the end of our trip, we excitedly handed money to the vendors. Kevin, more so, was in awe at the selection. I also found it endearing that he explained different produce and items to Emma.
I'm attaching the photos from this afternoon. We finished the afternoon up with a trip to a local bakery (photos attached as well). I hope that by viewing these photos, you'll see all that the farmer's market has to offer. I truly hope you'll make the trip to see the difference.
