Why I love the Farmers Market

I have always loved the Farmers Market every since I was a kid. In college for a class project a classmate and I embarked on creating a NYU Greenmarket Cookbook. The intention was for other students to contribute to the recipes and add their ideas. We tried various ways to get students involved through flyers, list serves and promotion, but sadly it didn't take off. I hope through this blog to bring more recipe ideas with information about sustainability.

Here are my numerous reasons for why I love the farmers market.
-Firstly, it brings in all the senses. The bright colors, the smell of different fruits, the tactile experience of picking the ripeness of produce, and of course the fresh taste are the main reason I am lured to the farmers market every weekend.
-Being exposed to different foods. I always end up trying a new or hybrid fruit that I’d never seen or heard of before, for example the red plum which is tartier than a regular plum is my newest find and favorite.
-I like being able to pick and choose the type of peach I want from different vendors instead of being given one choice at a super market. Basically, I like being able to have a choice.
-It reminds me of when I visit my grandparents in the south of France, where going to the "marché" is a daily occurrence, and all food is eaten is as fresh as possible. Farmers markets here bring back that nostalgic feelings for my family.
-There's a sense of community and friendship at the farmers market. It's easy to build a rapport with vendors and ask about their produce and products or for recipe ideas and cooking tips. The same can't be said of cashiers at grocery stores.
-The San Francisco Farmers Markets are superb. I’m lucky to have lived in cities (SF and NYC) that have such accessible and beautiful farmers markets. They are abundant in variety and almost feel gourmet, especially the Ferry Building Farmers Market in San Francisco and the Union Square Greenmarket in NY. And since the Bay Area weather is temperate it is easy to get most types of produce all year round. Furthermore, I also love to cook the Californian way which is to incorporate fresh and seasonal foods, which is easy to do when shopping at the farmers markets.
-It's healthy! If you eat a diet that incorporates plenty of seasonal and varied vegetables and fruits from the farmers market you are sure to be getting all the vitamins and minerals you need. And, since the produce is fresh, it retains its' nutrient contain longer than produce that has been sitting in trucks and cases in order to end up in your grocery store.
-It's local! Purchasing farmers market foods supports the vendors and farmers who grown their produce locally. It helps keep the farmers business going and supports the land's ability to produce food around us.