Posted by Debbie Luyo on Feb.04, 2009

Who doesn’t love fresh produce? As I anticipate the arrival of spring, I think about the start of the growing season, and fresh vegetables and fruits. One of my favorite places to buy them is my local farmers’ market. In my home town of Frederick, Maryland, the West Frederick Farmer’s Market is open every Saturday from mid-May until Thanksgiving. I can hardly wait! I go there to find fresh produce grown by local farmers. Depending on which fruits or vegetables are in season, I never know what I might find from one week to the next. Oddball produce is not allowed in grocery stores. Each piece of fruit, each vegetable looks the same as the one next to it. Not so at the farmers’ market, where a funny-looking strawberry, or a misshapen bell pepper is admired for the one-of-a-kind creation that it truly is. Everything is fresh, straight from the farm to you. Shopping at your local farmers’ market strengthens communities by supporting local farms and businesses, and supports a more sustainable standard of living.

Things are a little slow for the first couple of weeks, but you will find lush green asparagus, fresh spinach, and other greens. Some growers sell salad mix, made up of various salad greens, and, if I am lucky, an edible flower or two. It is also the time for mouthwatering strawberries. Things begin to pick up in June, with snap beans, and cherries, that come in yellow, black, or deep red varieties. Toward the end of the month there are plump blueberries, summer squashes, and sweet corn. With July comes a bonanza of fruits and vegetables, including cool summer cucumbers, golden and red potatoes, big red beets, bright orange “bugs bunny” carrots, beautiful peaches, and sometimes blackberries, and tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes. By mid-July we begin to see broccoli, plums of different colors, sweet cantaloupes, and other melons. At the end of July the eggplants arrive, along with nectarines and colorful peppers. In August there may be blackberries, and winter squash, of the acorn, butternut, and spaghetti varieties. In mid-August come the first apples, pears, and turnips. In September the fall harvest brings sweet potatoes, pumpkins for pie, or decorating, and different types of gourds. Broccoli is still available, along with white and purple cauliflower, and cabbages of different colors. Last but certainly not least are the onions, Bermuda onions, yellow onions, white onions, spring onions, garlic, fresh herbs, and more. It’s all too beautiful to eat (but we will anyway), and so delicious, bursting with goodness.

If you are choosy at all, or if you don’t like crowds, I recommend an early arrival. Spinach and salad greens can disappear in no time, and as the season winds down, supplies begin to dwindle. Stuff can really get picked over pretty quickly. I try to remember to bring a cloth shopping bag to carry my treasures home in. Purchases are easier to carry, and I avoid using plastic bags. Wanting to take all of it home can be a problem, but produce has a limited life, so don’t be tempted to buy more than you can use in a week. You can always come back next time. One other note, it can be pretty hot out there, and the sun is bright, so don’t forget the sunscreen, shades, and maybe a hat.

Some of the farms grow only certified organic produce. Farmers have to comply with rigid standards in order to meet organic certification requirements. Soil must be free of pesticides and nonorganic fertilizers for at least three years prior to the first organic harvest. In my experience, certified or not, the majority of growers are mindful of sensible and sustainable farming practices. For information on organic farms, check out http://www.localharvest.org/.

Shopping at the farmers market means that I get local, seasonal produce straight from the farmer who grew it. Produce is always fresh picked. These small business owners take pride in their product. They continually express their gratitude and appreciation to customers who return to them week after week. Some of my favorite farmers provide recipes and menu suggestions. Other booths at the farmers’ market feature bakery products, outdoor plants, and dairy products. Shopping locally conserves resources, and strengthens the local economy, giving greater control to producers and consumers, and minimizing the influence of large corporations. As winter lingers on, I remember my favorite things about spring, green grass, warm sunshine, chirping birds, and one of the coolest places I know, the West Frederick Farmers’ Market.

The US Department of Agriculture’s farmer’s market website lets you search for a farmer’s market in your area.

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Posted under GDM Lifestyle, Living, Nutrition.