Anyways, here's a "Should" that a lot of us share: "I should go to more farmer's markets." Am I right? Farmer's markets epitomize all things healthy and sustainable and local. They're the nexus where old-school farmer's meet new-school locavores. They're good for small businesses and good for your body. So... why aren't we going more?
We can make all the excuses we want, but the truth is, if we have an hour free on a Saturday or Sunday (or during the week as the case may be), we have time to visit a farmer's market. And chances are there's one close to your home; as close as the Westminster Farmer's Market (located in the parking lot of JC Penney at 88th and Harlan) is to mine.
Yes, Westminster has an awesome farmer's market, featuring several produce sellers with beautiful bounties of vegetables and fruits, Great Harvest Bread Co., local tamale-, salsa- and dip-vendors who are generous with the samples, and even a few food trucks.
Miller Farms, a Platteville farm in business since 1949, offers a killer deal: one large grocery bag stuffed with any and all produce on their table for just $10. And that's including vegetables like brussels sprouts, asparagus and the eggplant shown above, all of which go for a considerably higher price than other vegetable at most grocery stores.
Miller Farms is definitely a highlight of the Westminster Farmer's Market, but it's by no means the only reason to check out this little gem.
We sampled almost everything and purchased a loaf of moist, nutty sandwich bread from Great Harvest. A Montana-based company, Great Harvest does a good job of making every store seem like a local business. I have fond memories of visiting the Chapel Hill, N.C., location as a child, and I thought for a long time that it was the only location.
We left the farmer's market with out sack of veggies and loaf of bread feeling satisfied, productive and that much more in touch with our community. Farmer's markets aren't merely a venue for buying and selling, they're a community connector and something to be proud about. And it definitely beats standing in long lines, playing bumper cars with shopping carts and paying more for the same amount of non-organic food at the grocery store.
As we left the still bustling parking lot, our only quandary was a pleasant one: what in the world are we going to do with all these vegetables?
– M