The season of outdoor markets is upon us! This is the time of year when thousands of Knoxville and surrounding area residents reach for their organic hemp tote bags and a wad of cash to head down to the nearest annual Farmer’s Market.
The market has been a tradition of our city and many others across the globe for decades, offering consumers a chance to support their local suppliers in a cheerful market setting.
Upon first step into the market I frequent most in Market Square, which is so rightfully named such, the smell of raw herbs and freshly cut floral arrangements stimulate my senses. I’m simultaneously drawn to the vivid spectrum of squash, eggplants, and other colorful vegetables lining the tables in the first aisle of booths.
The obvious display of regional partnership is greatly noted at the many local farmer’s markets this year, but is certainly not the only reason to shop local. Few shoppers realize just how beneficial to their health this weekly trip to the market can truly be.
Local tastes better. You don’t realize what you’ve been missing until you trade a dollar for a freshly-picked peach from a cheerful farmer’s wooden basket and indulge yourself. Instead of throwing a bag of tomatoes into your cart, which were most likely pre-maturely harvested weeks ago and shipped across the country into your local grocery store, stop by the booth at the market that lives and breathes tomatoes for a fresh taste of genuine locality.
It’s healthier. Sure, you can go to your local organic food store and buy all the labels that promise no GMOs or pesticides. But, and this is my skepticism talking, how would you really know if those chickens are really free-rangers? At your local farmer’s market, you can be certain that the eggs you’re purchasing came from happy hens who probably live right down the road. The product is honest and hasn’t spent any time on a stuffy truck bed or in a dark warehouse with god-knows-what other kinds of merchandise stored next to it.
Give a unique gift. I enjoy visiting the market with no prior idea of what I want to buy, because it opens my eyes to a new array of commodities. I can stroll down the rows, embracing the colors in the scarves, the texture of handmade clothes, the personalized wooden kitchen utensils – and fall in love with something I had no idea even existed. Take a chance and spend a morning with no expectations; you might find something you never knew you needed, or better yet, a perfectly found gift for a friend who could use a pick-me-up.
Explore and expand your cultural horizons. While the actual farmers do supply a majority of the products sold at most markets, there is a large and growing community of artisans, designers, and homemakers who would love to tell you about their trade. It’s encouraging to hear how a certain artist has accomplished their place at the market and how they plan to continue contributing locally and regionally.
I’ve found that the artisans in our area, no matter their medium, all have a common denominator in the desire to grow our local businesses. Next time you’re at the market, step out of your comfort zone and ask a woodworker why he chose that specific texture, or what that artist’s photograph means to her. With so many political and national issues tapping on our shoulders most of the week, it’s important for community to stick together and support each other in any way we can.
Support your community. It’s become a healthy fad for our generation to embrace the mantra “shop local.” We want to encourage local businesses to thrive, yet we still budget an average of $100-200, depending on your family size, a week on grocery shopping. Why not take that weekly budget, cut it in half, and support the people who want to keep your money within our city limits by trading some cash in for a basket full of fresh vegetables? Not to mention, you’ll be much healthier if you don’t take that trip down the snack aisle.
Meet the supplier. One of the best things about the farmer’s market is, you guessed it, the farmers. Everyone is present intentionally, so you probably won’t run into any cranks, but you might stumble upon a comatose field worker who’s had too much sun. Take your time walking the rows and stop to talk with someone who looks interesting. We, as Americans, spend so much time researching and reading labels in order to understand the process used to plant, farm, and harvest our food. Take a moment with the direct source and build your confidence in the energy you’re powering your body with.
What to bring. I have nightmares in which I find myself at the market with three bouquets of loose flowers, a bag of eggplant, and nowhere to put that giant zucchini I want to make for supper. When preparing for a trip to the Farmer’s Market, be sure to pack the essentials. You’ll need some cash, smaller bills preferably but grab a twenty if you’re feeling generous, and a light-weight reusable tote bag to avoid hauling around five separate plastic bags with one unique vegetable in each. It’s okay, your foods can touch when they’re not on your plate.
Get a deal. Don’t be afraid to ask for a half-bag of potatoes if you don’t think you’ll finish them before they grow eyes. Most farmers are happy to accommodate a customer interested in their product and would most likely offer their items a la carte if you ask nicely. The farmer has your best interest in mind, next to his own. They want to serve their community as much as you want to support it, so don’t be hesitant if you think you can haggle that slightly bruised bag of apples down a couple bucks.
When visiting the market, timing is everything. If you want to get the best selection, get there as early as possible. I promise you won’t miss that hour of sleep if it means you get the best picks of this week’s strawberries. If you want to strike a deal, though, I’d plan on getting there later in the day; most farmers won’t want to haul all their leftovers home, and usually lower their prices right before the market’s end.
Finally, be sure to enjoy it. Take your time, walk slowly, bring your dog if you’re feeling sociable, because if you’re holding a dog everyone will pet it. And ask you what breed it is. And tell you “omg, he’s so cute!” Just embrace the attention with a smile. Savor the free samples, the conversation, and last but not least, the feeling of accomplishment you’ll receive when you walk away with a bag full of produce and a heart full of gratitude.
To view hours and location of your local Farmer’s Market, visit MarketSquareFarmersMarket.org or EastTNFarmMarkets.org.
