Is it just me or does it seem like there's a national trend going on? One where people are being more picky about what they eat, how it's grown/produced and the importance of supporting local farmers? Well, living with the Italian, I have become much more aware of ingredients in my food and the preservatives and chemicals added to it. Lately, I've seen more and more organic products in mainstream grocery stores. And personally, I think this is great. I won't get started on the additives in our food or genetic modification or now the cloning issues going on, but I do hope that this new trend is just beginning and will grow into a force where corporate America will take notice that the people here deserve and expect better products.
Anyway, I digress. I was so happy in the last weeks to see our local "D Magazine" front cover headline "Eat Local" with articles about our downtown Farmers Market. It reminded me about how much I enjoy going down there and so this morning, my sister and I took a trip downtown to do some shopping. To be honest, our market has some work to do bringing in more vendors but it has grown over the years and there are definitely more stands where the actual farmers who grew the produce are selling it. These are my favorite stands. And it was really good to see the crowds shopping. I didn't find the mushroom stall but will try again next trip.
Today, I was on a mission to find local Texas grown tomatoes and man did I! I had one tonight in a Caprese salad and it was so sweet and lusciously red, I was in heaven. I was a bit disappointed in the fruit selections but I found some yummy Texas figs, onions, new potatoes, organic basil & rosemary plants, cheese from a nearby dairy and organic, free range chicken & eggs (I love the blue egg in there!) from a local ranch. Not a bad haul! This is the kind of shopping I like, talking to the growers and picking ripe, fresh produce =)After that, with this heat - it was swimming time! WOOOHOOO, it's perfect water temperature and it feels sooo good to get that exercise again. Go out, support your local farmers and enjoy the delicious fresh food your own markets provide - it's a good thing. Yummy food, a little sun and a good book to read. On a hot Saturday, what else could you want?
More later...
6 comments :
Locally grown produce is the best! I buy from several people (depends on where I am at that certain time that I need my ingredients) but I just love this one couple who literally sell right in front of their land that they grow it on. This past winter when finocchi was available, I would watch as they picked it right in front of me. That's a great feeling of "getting your moneys worth!"
That blue egg is cool!
Your Saturday sounds great to me as well!
I sincerely hope it's a national trend that people are being more picky about what they eat. Farmers' markets in any country are the best :)
I love figs and can't find them here in New Mexico (farmers market or grocery stores) so lucky you. Eat one for me.
I clicked on the photo and it was huge and now all I can think of is fresh corn on the cob and ours is only 6" high! Thanks also for inspiring me to find www.learnitalianpod.com. I've subscribed and am doing a lesson a day. It must be doing me good!
Farmer's markets just rock! They are the best place to get the freshest in season treats! I need to find a good one around here! That is going to be a reqiurement for anywhere I happen to move to - must have a good farmer's market!
It seems to be a trend; we saw it increasing in NM and are sincerely glad it's finally getting back to the way it's *supposed* to be. Real food...imagine! ;) What a successful outing you had. Enjoy the harvests!
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