Making some Market Day magic
- col-bobbie-randall
- July 16, 2025
- 264
Saturday morning is Market Day. The block north of the square is closed off, and vendors set up tables, tents and trellises to sell local wares. The main sellers are fruits and vegetables, baked goods, and flowers. Honey, jewelry, and herbal creams and oils also are featured by the down-home merchants.
Last Saturday a musician was set up in the gazebo softly. He was playing a variety of favorite songs that provided the soundtrack for a beautiful summer morning. The sun was traveling across the sky in slow motion as purveyors positioned their products in the shade.
Friends, neighbors and strangers were sharing smiles and news about the weather and the produce. Everyone eyed whatever everyone else had purchased. The man with a beautiful and bountiful bouquet of wildflowers was my favorite shopper. His smile was brighter than the sun shining on his back as he made his way home with his treasure.
Farmers markets have grown in popularity across the U.S. The markets sell fresh seasonal produce and other handcrafted cottage items. Buying local avoids the cost markup incurred by transporting produce and other products. The produce is fresh as opposed to being trucked to the grocery store after being harvested weeks before.
If you haven’t visited a local farmers market yet, now is a good time to start. The atmosphere, the sights, the sounds, the smells and the tastes are yours for enjoyment.
The fresh flavors are fantastic, and the fresher the produce, the better the taste. Many of the fruits and vegetables are grown without pesticides and are part of a healthier lifestyle. Produce that is recently picked is more nutrient-dense.
Seasonal eating supports local farmers and bakers. Pasture-raised eggs and meats are delicacies for some folks. Connecting with your farmer, the source of food, makes eating more of an enriching experience. Many growers will chat and share recipes if asked.
The cabbage I purchased was from an Amish woman who grew it in her garden. At home it was shredded and made into coleslaw that tasted delicious. The green beans I bought snapped, crackled and popped as I cleaned them. The corn picked that morning made a delightful lunch.
I must apologize to the farmer who sold me a few Anaheim chili peppers. He told me any unsold peppers he gets to eat himself. Sorry, sir, I bought them all. They were a tasty addition to a great summertime salad.
Goat’s milk is not one of my favorite dairy products, but soap made from goat’s milk leaves my hands soft and fragrant. I brought home a bar to lather and clean my dirty hands. The raspberry fruit pie that made it home was outrageously yummy. I plan on buying another one next week.
At home I spent my Saturday afternoon enjoying the bounty of the earth straight from my neighbor’s farm to my table. Take time to enjoy a farm market. There are many in your community. Find one and have fun.
Bobbie Randall is a registered, licensed dietitian. Email her at bobbierandallrd@gmail.com.