Supermarket vs. Farmers' Market

It had been several months until I decided to go to the farmers' market. The delay in my decision had several reasons. Firstly, we got used to the supermarket nearby that describes itself as a farmer' market, and it offers, I thought so, a great variety of natural and fresh items. Secondly, we did not believe that farmers still exist in the USA. We assumed that a farmers' market is a simple reselling and repackaging event. Thirdly, the farmers market closest to us was happening in a parking lot at the mall! It did not look appealing at all.

All the above reasons weighed on and postponed my determination until one day, when I realized that I had enough of eating tasteless and frozen fruits and vegetables from the supermarket.

It happened right before the day we received a brochure about the upcoming farmers market event. It was just on time, because we wanted to cook a vegetable soup, but were struggling to find a store where we can purchase fresh (newly picked and not perfectly shaped) veggies. So let us try I thought while getting ready for the farmers market visit.

We arrived just after the opening time and had already noticed a number of people walking toward the market. Upon entering the market area we saw many stalls with different kinds of produce. So we started to gather around. We entered stalls of many vendors, primarily the one that were selling vegetables. We looked, smelled and touched the so not perfectly shaped, and so natural then ever vegetables and fruits! We noticed that we were not the only ones who were excitingly touching the earthly treasures. People were happily picking items at one stall, paying and moving to another stall. Some visitors had market style baskets and looked very satisfied with the purchases. It all felt great! It felt natural!

As the farmers sell products according to the season availability, we got what was there for the month of July. Potatoes, tomatoes, onions, carrots, squash and zucchini were available. Just what we needed for our fresh and healthy vegetable garden soup. Motivated and satisfied we returned home. In less then one hour - voila, the fresh and delicious meal was ready for tasting.

What can I say, it tasted heavenly. Additionally the preparation took very little time. The ingredients from the market very well matched each other and no additional spice or herb was required. Just put veggies together and let the taste form as it is. There is a reason why these particular veggies grow together in a season, what do you think? Simple, quick and healthy. Much better than the recently seen-by-me recipe of cauliflower bisque with brown butter crouton soup.

The experience I had in the market on that day changed many food related habits in us. It has been several weeks since we bought any fresh products at the supermarket. Our diet, in spite of the fact that we have been eating healthy already, has been improved even better. We now know what tastes natural and what is just a pretty slogan for a pesticide food. It's all worth it every minute we had been there, every penny we spent and our effort to go out of the comfort shelf zone.

Since our first visit to the local market we also purchased body care products from the local producers and are looking forward to replace every item in our kitchen with items that are made by people and for people.

The mutual benefits are at the market where we, the buyers, help local families to sustain small businesses and where they, the sellers, are happy to receive rewards for their hard working sustainable, pesticide and herbicide free products. So when were you at the local market last time?

Do not rely on the convenience of supermarkets. Go and visit a local farmers market in your area. The surprise of the emotional and health benefits will make you want to go back again and again. If the information about your local farmers market is available online, it is helpful to check what, according to the season, is available. All the best in your nutritional journeys!