If you haven't journeyed to your local farmers market... well... it may just be too late to do it yet this year (depending on where it is you call home). But come spring, make it a point to get out there. I'm a big proponent of patronizing "the little guy." (I would MUCH rather buy my produce from the farmers market or the local health food store than from, say, Wal-Mart [and I say "Wal-Mart" with a cringe... every time]) The farmers market is a happy place, a place where you can find:
- delectable baked goods
- artsy jewelry and housewares
- brightly colored fresh-cut flowers
- the most fabulously fresh fruits and vegetables you'll find anywhere, and
- (for you carcass-loving carnivores out there) sometimes jerky and cuts of meat, or the opportunity to order some.
The farmers market is also a great place to people-watch; there are so many different people coming and going. If you work somewhere like Pfizer or Stryker, you're likely to stumble upon at least one person you work with-- the farmers market is a very popular place (and rightly so!). A few quick tips for your sojourn to the Kalamazoo Farmers Market:
- Parking is free--and you can park anywhere in the parking lot, or along the streets, or at any of the area businesses.
- Some of the vendors will supply plastic shopping bags (or something similar) for you to tote your goodies. But I suggest bringing your own bags (you get bonus points if you go green and bring your own reusable shopping bags [my favorites are from Trader Joe's and Whole Foods])
- The market is an open-air market, so it's outside, and it may be cold-- so dress accordingly.
- One word: TALK! Make conversation with the vendors there-- it's a great way to meet new people and find out where your food is coming from.
- Go hungry-- that is, don't eat a huge meal before going to the market. Many vendors offer samples (yay!) and you'll be more likely to sample and buy all kinds of wonderful goods if you've got a few hunger pangs driving you.
- The market's hours of operation are as follows:
- June thru October: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 7am-2pm (plus Tuesdays in August from 3:30pm-7:30pm)
- May & November: Saturdays from 7am-2pm
- The market runs from the first Saturday in May to the last Saturday in November (we've still got a couple weeks left!)
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| The fresh flowers at the Farmers Market |
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| Farmers Market |
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| Veggies galore! (Yes, I felt like I was in paradise...) |
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| Fresh flowers and veggies |
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| Baked goods - my favorite thing in the world. |
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| Flowers, flowers, and more flowers |
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| You can find any veggie you could ever want here. And the freshness factor is out of this world. |
Here are some links for the farmers markets I've been to (and they're all fabby):
And if none of these markets is close to you, use your resources (I know you can use Google) and find one near you. Happy shopping!
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