fresh, local, in season

the alternative: farmers’ markets

It’s a low-key highlight of my week, the local Farmers’ Market on Friday mornings, down at the showground. 

It’s not a big market, just the right size - small enough to see your friends there,  and to know the stallholders, big enough for a little bit of a hustle and bustle feeling. There is usually a local musician performing - violin, guitar, singing.

But the main thing is the food. It  is all local, and a lot of it is organically grown. Unlike the selection available at the supermarket, nothing is flown in from far away. No Californian oranges in the middle of summer, no  cherries in the middle of winter.

Not so many greens one week, a lot of basil the next, or bananas, or passionfruit, or pumpkin. Depending on the weather, the season.

Initially I was a bit put out that I couldn’t get everything I thought I wanted. We’ve all been seduced into thinking ‘abundance’ means a  ridiculous choice of everything from everywhere, whenever we want it.

But when you think about it, why eat something that is not fresh, local or in season? Apart from the environmental footprint of all those food miles etc., it’s also stupid, healthwise to be eating (say) midsummer fruits from the other side of the world when it’s winter here. Why not accept what Nature offers here and now?  

I learn that they've started to harvest the macadamias, but the first lot aren’t the best. Avocados are just coming good again. The first of the new season’s apples arrived a couple of weeks back. The big heritage tomatoes should be back soon (‘We’ve just planted them”) Later there’ll be custard apples...

There are  locally made cheeses, keffir, roast garlic spread and  macadamia paste, marinated olives, Davidson plum jam  & other bush tucker stuff; even organic liqueurs, including my favourite, limoncello. 

Plus, you can get a good coffee and a cake ( gluten free/ vegan if preferred) and sit at a ricketty table under the huge shady trees chatting and watching the passing parade.

Does this all sound like a sort of promotional spiel? I guess I am smug about living in such a great little community. Because actually the main thing isn’t just the food - it’s the food and the sense of community

Interesting link re food sovereignty: http://preventdisease.com/news/11/032511_food_sovereignty_maine.shtml