When I returned to this lovely little corner of the Upper Midwest, there was only one local farm market, and it was held in a parking lot along the river. Ducks splashed nearby and geese honked overhead. It was a quiet corner near a busy intersection and if it was not as vibrant as the markets of Europe or the larger college towns that I love so much, it was still a nice little market with a strong sense of place.
Then the mayor had this not-so-bright idea to move it an empty lot off the beaten path. It bombed. A few years later, it moved again, this time to a designated spot with a silly, narrow "marketplace" which was really just a metal awning on posts. In time, the market grew again, but then one year the health department swooped in and closed the stall with the jams and the one with the pickles, and then one by one the growers died or retired or stopped coming to town.
About that time another market started up in another part of town along the bay and over a three-year period, that market grew until it became a small but vibrant venue for local growers, crafters and our small CSA effort.
But it was in a city park and this year, the city decided to charge anyone who wants to use the park for anything, more or less.
A generous businessman whose antique mall provided space for a winter farm market, offered an outdoor site for summer, but a behemoth of a building blocks the summer breeze off the bay.
I still go, of course, and I appreciate the alternate location. What if we had a market and there was no place to put it?
But I find I am cranky about this, and I find the change is hard to adjust too. I go, I chat with the vendors and I enjoy exploring the contents of my CSA box, but I want the bay back.
Maybe I am getting too old for changes like this.
13 comments:
Oh boy! I know what you mean. I don't like change at all! I think things should stay as they are. Alas, most of the world doesn't agree with me/us!
Nice to see you again, Mimi! You must be awful busy, eh? Hope you get some time this summer to return to your "first love".
Thanks, Cyn. How are you? Is your weather as up and down as ours up here?
Doin' OK. Weather has been up and down, but I'm not complaining. At least it isn't snowing. Tho the temps at night are pretty dang chilly! Like low to mid 40's! And we've had a goodly amt. of rain...haven't had to water the garden in weeks!
Take care, and have a most blessed holiday weekend!
It's a shame that your town doesn't recognize the importance of the Farmer's Market. It is one of the few ways left to relate to people in "the old fashioned way".
Hope you have a relaxing 4th of July Mimi.
I understand your frustration :/ Ours moved, and moved and moved again and now is completely defunked. I was thinking about getting some of my girlfriends and neighbors to do a co-op like my mom did when I was a kid. Each of us take turns going to the farmers market and bringing back goodies (we will have to go out of town now). I think each of them paid 15 or 20 bucks each time and we had unlimited bounty. Just a thought....~LeslieMichele
I agree, Penny! Fortunately, I am working on that little issue and I do have some channels I can use to get my point across.
LeslieMichele, that's a great arrangement. We will have 3-4 farm stands going up soon at key locations in town so that will supplant the farm market.
I do wish that every town,regardless of its' size, would recognize the importance of local growers and farmers.Where there is a will, there is a way....having fresh and local food is very high on my list and sometimes I travel great distances to get the produce.I do believe there is more activity in keeping markets open than ever before,maybe not what we are used to,but I do see a lot of road side stands springing up along my travels. Hope you are well and i know you are staying busy!
Hi Jann,
I totally agree! There is more movement toward farm markets in general, and more attention to eating local. Fortunately, there is always a small but loyal cadre that supports farm markets.
I'm sure they would never dream of doing what the Europeans do - just closing off main street and having it right on the pavement. To me, that's the best - I get to go to the market plus visit all the shops in town I never go to normally - and have a coffee when I'm done - or lunch!
Katie, I wish they would do that, but it would create a big brouhaha. We have, however, 3 farm stands on my side of town: Three families, all related by blood or marriage, sell everything from melons to corn starting mid-July and running into October. The farm stands are located in the parking lots of existing business; i bought tons of stuff for only $12 yesterday at the stand next to the classic hamburger joint.
Totally off subject here Mimi, but I wanted to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY:)
Thank you, Fiona! Will eat well today: Local vegetables for lunch plus a dinner out.
gism
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