So. Labor Day. The end of summer, etc. Seems like the perfect time to start writing about farmers' markets, yes? Now that they're on their way out and all?
Honestly, I'm not sad about summer ending at all. Out here in Colorado we haven't had quite the misery that the East Coast experienced, but we did have the highest-ever August temperatures on record for Denver, and we smashed the previous streak of consecutive days above 80 degrees to smithereens, and, you know, our house doesn't have air conditioning. Thank god Colorado doesn't have humidity. (And there are many things I love about Colorado, but the lack of humidity? It might be the number one thing. It's definitely in the top five, at least.)
Anyway! Yes, fall. Cool weather, jeans, boots, sweaters, warm drinks, pumpkins, pretty leaves, etc. Also I am looking forward to a fall wardrobe not just for myself but also for Callum. Nothing is as cute as a little footed one-piece on a baby, and baby jeans are a very close second. So yes, I'm looking forward to fall.
But one thing I am not looking forward to is the lack of fresh local produce that fall brings. Except that you know where we have found to be the best place for really good local produce? Whole Foods. Isn't that sad? This is Colorado. It's an agricultural state. The whole state is full of farms. A lot of them are really close to Denver. I mean, when we replaced our fence we sold the old fencing to a nearby farmer for $150 (thank you, Craigslist). And when I decided I wanted to take Torsten to a goat farm for his birthday, I found one quite easily less than an hour away. You get my drift.
So why is it that all the local farmers' markets seem to totally suck? I mean, maybe we're looking in all the wrong places. But we've been to the huge popular farmers' market downtown, the tiny one near our house, and a couple other local ones in various suburbs. And we have never encountered more than two produce stalls at any of them, even the huge one. And all this year we haven't come across a single stall selling local jams. It seems to be mostly specialized stuff--salsas, pasta sauces, cheeses, sausage. I mean, that stuff is nice but sometimes I just want to go find some nice fresh local produce that isn't marked up to Whole Foods prices, you know?
And even the produce stalls that we do encounter aren't that impressive. They might have one or two nice-looking things, but as a whole it's nothing special. And whatever is especially good always sells out fast. Like we still haven't been able to buy any freaking fresh cherries at a farmers' market all summer because apparently they fly off the shelves.
And the big market, the really popular one where it's wall to wall people and drivers risk their lives to beat others to a parking spot? It's almost like a street fair. The vast majority of the booths seem to be selling prepared food. If it weren't so crowded it would be a great place just to go for lunch. But for local farmed products? Not so much.
I don't know what we're missing! It seems like here in Colorado there should be much better farmers' markets, but I am at a loss as to where we could possibly find them. I guess we have all winter to research and try to figure out what we're missing. And if it turns out that this is just how farmers' markets are around here, then maybe I have an idea for a new business come next summer.
What about where you live? Are there farmers' markets? Are they any good?
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I'm pretty sure it's because of the CSAs, at least up here. The farms that come to our farmer's markets come as a drop off for the CSA boxes that people pick up, so they only really have left overs to sell. We're considering a CSA for next year.
ReplyDeleteLike the commenter above, I was going to suggest. Necking into a CSA. I would also suggest contact you county Cooperative Extension office -set they should be able to give you tips on where to find local produce. Just google Colorado cooperative extension.
ReplyDeleteOurs suck too. And yeah, very little produce these days thanks to CSAs, just a lot of homemade pasta and bread and jams and soap. Which is fun too, but I what I really want is produce. I don't want it enough to do a CSA, though; my friend has done one for years, and she always has all these random greens that no one but me would ever eat. And so many green onions! Radishes! Stuff my kids would NEVER eat!
ReplyDeleteWe have some decent farmer's markets locally, but I have to second what the other commenters said. Look into a CSA. We did one last year and I loved it. The problem for me was that my husband is NOT a good veggie eater, and only likes iceberg lettuce of all horrid things, so it was only for me and that wasn't really working out.
ReplyDeleteOH, one time there was strawberry jam in our CSA from the strawberry harvest. A nice winter surprise!
Have you checked out the listings on Local Harvest for Denver? There are a few urban farms listed and quite a few CSA options.
ReplyDeleteWe had a CSA in my neck of the woods for the first time this past year and we really enjoyed it. But they didn't have enough interest and won't be doing it next year. Bah humbug. Try it! I bet you will like it. :)
Oh, and it looks like they are starting up their fall CSA seasons...so looking soon would be a good idea. :)
ReplyDeleteI know, Colorado farmer's markets were always the biggest disappointment! Asheville has the most amazing farmer's markets! The amount of produce is unreal.
ReplyDeleteI really think part of it just boils down to climate. Things grow so well here, but in Colorado? Not so much. It's too dry! I also think that not as many people are farming things like veggies in Colorado...it's more grains and livestock.
I find that our farmer's markets are either too "frou-frou" or too sparse. I'm in DC and it's still a total pain in the ass to find good produce. OR, you'll go to 3 different stands and they have the same 10 items... No bueno!
ReplyDeleteDon't even get me started on butchers..
We live in San Diego and love our farmer's markets! I buy all our produce there on sundays and tuesdays.
ReplyDeleteBoulder FM is the best. Tons of stalls with produce, fresh cheese, jams, etc.
ReplyDeleteAbbondonza CSA has amazing produce. Pickups are at the Boulder FM. Well worth the drive.
We have wonderful farmer's markets in Seattle, and here they're year round. Although, I wouldn't say the produce is cheap. It's bountiful and tasty, but it comes from small farms, so tomatoes are still $3.99/pound and berries are $6/pint.
ReplyDeleteI AM SO EXCITED FOR FALL. i wore BOOTS today. and a JACKET. it was my favorite.
ReplyDeletei'm always surprised how good the farmer's markets are around here. and then i'm always like "dude, you idiot, why don't you go to farmer's markets more often..?!"
We always used to go up to Berry Patch Farms in Brighton; they have some pick-your-own stuff (mostly raspberries, but some other things as well) and sell a ton of produce into the fall. Maybe take a trip up there sometime? We found it to be totally worth it, especially during harvest season.
ReplyDeleteWe actually have really decent ones in San Antonio and Austin. CSAs aren't a huge deal yet, so I suppose everything is still going to the markets. The markets themselves are really young still, but it's a blast talking with the farmers and bakers!
ReplyDeleteWe have awesome, cheap, year around markets but we're in the Central Valley of CA (Sacramento) so we're pretty much in the top part of the entire nation's produce growing region. Right now we've got peaches, tomatoes, plums, produce galore for $1-$1.50/pound. Spoiled, I know :)
ReplyDeleteSeattle has amazing farmer's markets (and I'm not just referring to the year-round Pike Place Market that is famous). Each neighborhood has one and they are overflowing with produce. I guess I'm lucky!
ReplyDeleteWe have quite a few produce stands around where I live in South Jersey (still quite a few farms around even though suburban sprawl is rampant)...but there aren't very many Farmer's Markets. The ones that I know about are indoor Amish markets...which are still pretty neat. When I lived in upstate NY there seemed to be Farmers Markets in all the surrounding towns but I never seemed to get a chance to go.
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