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?
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