Street Talk
Vegetable Season Starts With Farmers Market
By Jessie Gurner
Even the bad weather couldn’t keep the Valley’s diehard rock and roll and rockabilly fans away from Music in the Park last Friday night. The KGRoosters were great and if you missed this performance make sure to catch them at the first opportunity.
Music in the Park will take a break, skipping a week. There won’t a performance this Saturday, May 17, but mark your calendar for Saturday, May 24.
One of last season’s most popular acts, Billy Lamb, will make a return appearance. Billy plays classic Motown that makes you want to Shout and may even have people Dancing In The Streets.
While there might not be any music this Saturday, there will be fresh vegetables. The Farmers Market will return to Main Street for the second year.
Come by and meet under the magnolia trees in Railroad Park to pick up locally grown garlic, onions, herbs, herbs in pots, cut flowers, and plants from Jones’ Nursery – not to mention hand-ground grits, cured meats, baked goods and more! The market will be open each Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Additional seasonal produce will be added over the upcoming weeks.
Shopping at a farmers market is different from shopping at a supermarket. You’ll enjoy the experience more and get a lot more out of it – more than you’re expecting, perhaps – if you keep a few things in mind.
Show up early. Especially if you’re looking for something early or late in its season, as many farmers will run out right away as early birds snap up the less abundant items. Plus it’s likely to be less crowned and the growers will be able to spend more time with you talking about their offerings.
Or, come late. Often late in the day is a great time to get deals on stuff the farmers don’t want to take home, especially anything more perishable or difficult to transport.
Be prepared to spend some time. This isn’t a supermarket where you zip up and down the aisles throwing boxes and cans into your cart. Here, you can ask about the items. The growers know about what they’re selling – after all, if they’re growing it, they’re almost certainly eating it.
Accept the seasons. You won’t find tomatoes at the farmers market this week or asparagus in August. One of the joys of eating locally is that the start of each new season is a taste treat.
Bring a friend. Do you know someone who hasn’t shopped at the Farmers Market? Or maybe just someone who is always saying, “Wow, I really should check out the Farmers Market, too.” Offer to take them with you. Last year I suggested the market to a friend who bought so much that I ended up some fantastic homemade pesto.
