At the Farmers' Market
The farmers’ market is not a new idea, but it is enjoying more
success today than ever before. Chicago neighborhood farmers’ markets
opened in late June and will stay around until October in most areas.
The Farmers’ Market gives "city folks" an opportunity
to meet the small time farmers. Do not confuse "farmers’ market"
shopping with supermarket shopping. The produce here was driven in from
local farms only a few miles away. This stuff was picked yesterday not
last month.
Breath deeply and allow the fragrance of the fresh air market inspire
your selections. Rather than taking a grocery list, take a blank page
and pen. Produce is at peak quality and ready to eat out-of-hand or
to add to your favorite summertime side dish. Below are some simple
guidelines designed to make your next trip to the farmers’ market
a wonderful experience.
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If you snooze, you lose, so arrive early for best selection.
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Bring your own bags and several ridged containers for fragile berries.
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As you pack your bag, carefully arrange the produce so hard stuff
is on the bottom, ripe produce suffers damage easily.
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On really hot days, it is a good idea to put a cooler and small
bag of ice in your trunk to keep things cool until you get home.
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Bring plenty of change and small bills.
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Try to cruise the entire market before making purchases. Note which
stands have the best looking greens and sweetest smelling peaches.
Follow your nose.
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Unless you plan to freeze some of your purchases, buy in small
quantities that can be eaten in a week, next week you can come back
for more.
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Be friendly, get to know the farmers, ask questions, be complimentary
and above all have fun.
Fresh ripe fruits and vegetables have a short life (especially berries),
try not to purchase more than you can eat in a few days. Ripe fruit
is fragile, so pay attention to the scents and make sweet smelling selections.
Remember, underripe fruit hasn’t reach it’s nutritional peak
and if it is overripe, it will have lost valuable nutrients.
Store unwashed produce in the refrigerator and rinse in cold water
just before you use it. Store produce loosely wrapped in plastic bags.
Store mushrooms in paper bags to prevent the development of sliminess.
Eat the ripest produce first and store the rest in the refrigerator.
To find out more about farmers’ markets and the locations in your
city, call the American Farmland Trust at (202) 659-5170 or visit their
website at http://www.farmland.org.
Mid-Summer 1998
Five Steps to Healthier
Grass in Shady Spots | Tree
Tips for Buyers of New Homes | Summer
Tree and Shrub Watering Care | Leaf
Scorch | Spraying Facts
for the Garden | Bug
Bites—Grubs | Lawn
Care Calendar | Cybergarden
Sites | Hort Shorts
| Hort Tips | Food
Handling: What to Do with Food During a Power Outage | In
the Kitchen: Friendship Cake | Food
Safety: How to Make A Friendship Cake Starter | Locally
Grown: At the Farmers' Market | Health
and Household Tips
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