Here’s a fun fact: In my work life away from this blog, I am intricately involved in running a local community farmers market! I was involved in this project from the forefront – researching day, time, location, feasibility, etc., surveying and soliciting resident feedback, recruiting vendors, organizing administration, coordinating the infrastructure and advertising like crazy. This is the market’s fourth year of operation now and it feels like I am watching one of my own little babies grow up. It makes me proud to see a vibrant, booming market that draws thousands of patrons each week as a result of lots of labor and love.

Farmers Markets encompass so many things I am passionate about: food, health, community gathering, local businesses, family and fun. Since we are reaching a more productive part of Wisconsin’s growing season {hey, hey, hot weather producing some early strawberries! ? }, I thought I’d share a little more about what I love about markets.

// THE GROWERS //

As a result of being involved in a market leadership team, I have developed a deep love for growers and the knowledge they have. These people are simply amazing and so.very.hardworking! Watching the dots connect from seedlings planted to produce into the customer hands with tips, tricks and cooking recommendations from the growers is the icing on the cake for me. I admire the dedication they have to their practice and the openness and willingness to educate others in the process.

We have a simple home garden which has been for-fun coupled with trial-and-error, so observing how these individuals work tirelessly on acres and acres of planted land only makes me become more passionate about buying from them (not even considering the health benefits!). I’ve had opportunities to get out into the fields of the growers associated with the market I work on, and it is such a humbling and exciting experience! I’ve learned so much and have gained all the more excitement about my own growing, so much so, that I may actually let Mark believe we’ll move out into the middle of nowhere someday so I (we) can become a farmer(s). But only if he’ll let me have chickens!

// THE SHOPPING //

My family loves shopping at farmers markets. We love the local products, the variety and the ambiance, not to mention the food trucks! Maven lives for the samples {it quite possibly trumps going to Costco, AKA “The Sample Store”} and we appreciate all of the friendly vendors who have come to know us personally. Some of our favorite shopping is when we are intending to buy an entire meal to grill up that evening. Dinner is beyond delicious in that case! We do focus on buying local produce, but have also found other local products and sweet treats to love: honey, eggs, rice crispy treats {hello deliciousness!}, kettle corn, cheese, salsa and flowers.

// THE IMPACT //

Shopping at a local farmers market has major impact on the local community and is overall a very healthy shopping option. Just Google benefits of shopping local and you’ll find hundreds if not thousands of reasons to do so: building community, strengthening the local economy, creating jobs, enhancing health, reducing environmental impact, etc.. One accomplishment I am proud of in regards to “my” market’s impact is that our growers donate excess produce at market’s close that would otherwise go to waste so that we may have resources for families in our community. Last year we collected thousands of pounds of fresh food and all of it was distributed, weekly, to those in need. {Cool thing – we also helped educate these recipients on the benefits of the produce and how to wash, cut, prep, cook and serve it too!}

I feel like I am a part of something big and meaningful when I’m shopping at a farmers market. Okay, maybe that statement sounds a little romanticized, but truly, I do. My family has been so involved in the market process that they’ve all volunteered their time and energy for it too. Yes, even Maven and Sylvie have helped work the Information Booth and greet customers. It’s a fun way to spend time as a family, educational for all and an impactful way to shop. We love trying out a new food truck for lunch, sitting down to listen to a local artist’s music and then taking all of our goodies home to start fresh for the week.

If you’re in the Milwaukee area, here are a few local shops I adore (some of which may also be supplied to your local grocer or available for purchase online):

• Mark’s Secret Stuff (salsa!)
• Sasha’s Dressing
• Hawthorne Coffee Roasters
• Angelic Bakehouse
• Eats & Treats Food Truck
• LuAnn’s Homemade Butters

 

What do you love about Farmers Markets? Do you grow your own produce? I’d love to hear from you!

XO

 

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