Farmers Market
Anyone who hates farmers’ markets may never be my friend. Yes, visiting farmers’ markets is one of my ultimate sources of amusement. For me, this place is a reliable source of fun and excitement. How can someone be not fascinated with the buzz, the people (and our furry friends are welcome too), the variety of fresh produce, the smell of food, the festive feeling and the whole atmosphere? That my friend is how I love Farmers Market, if it’s still not obvious yet why this blog was created.
Dallas Farmers Market
In Manila, we also have some weekend/farmers market that operates just the same like the one in Salcedo, the Legaspi Sunday weekend market and the one in Eton, QC. I had a chance to visit 3 Farmers market in the US, just maybe a grain representation of Farmers Market in the country but enough for me to observe as a visitor. I visited 2 in Dallas (Downtown Dallas, Whiterock Lake Farmers Market and Fort Mason in San Fran). Imagine my excitement comparable to a kid visiting Disneyland for the first time.
Fort Mason Center Farmers’ Market
So, I took a moment to note the things I like about it and why I became an avid Farmers Market fan.
- Great Food. As you walk through the market, you’ll be greeted by the smell of roasted corn, baked cookies, hotdogs and what have you. Who doesn’t want free samples of freshly picked strawberries, blueberries, mangoes and the likes?
farmers’ market food
- Festive. You may bring your kids and pets and have it as a family bonding activity. There are usually special events for the kids like music and dancing, pet shows, face painting etc. They get to also meet new friends, excited to pet a dog or just learn something new. The market is usually set up outdoors, so you usually enjoy the good sunny weather while shopping.
Farmers Market Pets
family events
- Learning. There’s an opportunity for us to learn things like the importance of farming, nutrition/healthy living, social skills and entrepreneurship. It’s always good to know where our products came from and how well they were treated. Were the animals free-ranged, from the wild, or were they fed organic food too?
farmers market
- Freshness. You can buy organic and healthy products like vegetables, pickles, honey, fruits and different artisan products. The produce are usually fresh from a local’s backyard or from just around the town. Although some produce maybe expensive because of some costs to farm organically, they’re usually in season so most are cheaper compared to imported/shipped produce.
local produce
- Win-win. Good for the environment, good for you as a consumer, and good for the farmer and community. So cutting down on chemicals is beneficial to the environment, while we are consuming healthy, fresh and safe food. Purchasing in a farmers market helps the farmers business sustainability, and eventually contributes to the local economy.
local farmers market/ whiterock lake
Dallas and Whiterock Lake Farmers’ Market
Port Mason/Bay Area Farmers’ Market
Supporting the Farmers Market is good for us, for our health, for the farmers and the community. I tell you, it’s way better to shop here than in the big groceries. Don’t miss the fun- visit your local farmer’s market today! We have a couple of them on weekends here in Metro Manila.
marketraveler 