Oh, how we love farmers’ markets. Fresh air, friends, neighbors, beloved farmers, food producers…its community energy at its finest. While Jen and I prefer to stick with the organic farms, we advocate shopping the farmers’ market whether buying organic or non-organic items. The benefits of Locally Grown and Buying Local (in most circumstances) out-weights shopping conventional foods at your local grocery store. Plus, there’s nothing like having a one-on-one direct conversation with the farmer/business owner who has grown or prepared your food. You actually can appreciate every bite just a bit more knowing its origin. You celebrate with the farmers when a crop has done particularly well and grieve with them when the weather has effected production. To us, our organic farmers link our family to good health and overall wellness.
Being connected to your farmers allows for the “firsts of the season”. When Jen brought home sweet, red delicious strawberries from Willow Wisp Organic Farm, we all went crazy. A strawberry that actually tasted like a strawberry…what a novel idea. They were some of the best strawberries I have ever eaten in my entire life. The best part was that we weren’t ingesting the over 54 pesticide residues (carcinogens, hormone disruptors, neurotoxins, and developmental/reproductive toxins) that are usually found on conventional strawberries. And then, not too long ago, Neversink Organic Farm came to the Liberty Farmers’ Market with their first cherry tomatoes. When Jen brought them back to the manager’s tent and told the kids she had tomatoes, their reaction was priceless…like they had been given the best gift in the whole world. It was magical. Who knew cherry tomatoes would make an eleven and eight year old so darn happy.
If you are new to shopping the markets…just remember, lots of us were there. It may feel a little overwhelming at first but like anything else it becomes easier once you do it a couple of times. Just get yourself there; remember your totes; stroll the aisle(s), see what’s being offered; scout out the organic farms if your so inclined; and ask questions if you don’t know or want to know more. Don’t be shy to ask about growing practices, price or recipe ideas. And you can always offer some appreciation for their hard work, determination and knowledge. For without the Farmers, we have no Food.
So, we invite you to join us this Saturday, July 14th, 11am at the Barryville Farmers’ Market. Take a tour of the market, meet the farmers and food producers, then head under the umbrellas for a cooking demo and tasting.
What’s on the menu you ask? Cold Pasta Salads…using Northern Farmhouse Pasta (made from 100% Organic Wheat grown by Cayuga Pure Organics in NY) and fresh veggies from market. Perhaps we’ll taste some wine from Eminence Road Farm Winery and compliment our salads with some fresh baked bread from Flour Power Bakery. We’ll bring some homemade scape butter to spread on…yum!
Hope to see you there!
I think what your doing is great! It’s so much better for the environment plus your macaroons are out of this world!! I live in Queens and my neighbor’s niece is Jennifer. I just want to say there should be more “Good Farms” like yours. America would be better off.
John Conza