A trip to the farmer’s market
November 15th, 2007 by ScottThis past Sunday, I loaded up my bicycle with at least 50 pounds of local, organic food. Not in ownership of a car, this is nothing unusual, although these are special occasions when I have to be creative about using the panniers, rack, and a backpack.
Not more than a mile from my Seattle apartment is the Broadway Farmer’s Market where I bought ten pounds of pinto beans from one of my favorite growers. In the Yakima Valley, Alvarez Farms grows peppers, tomatotillos, onions, garlic, peanuts, beans, and much more. They tell me next week they’ll have two other varieties of beans which I also plan to stock up on. Their fresh beans I’ve bought in years past, but wished I’d done so in larger quantities as the freshness is like nothing else!
Another large purchase this week included 24 pounds of heirloom squash from the brand new Local Roots Farm. The bright oranges of their flesh make great risottos, raviolis, and soups. Or possibly even better just baked in the oven with salt, pepper, onions, garlic and a drizzle of olive oil. The passionate and energetic young farmers have also grown some of the best foods that have landed on my plate since spring. Some of my favorites have been their collard greens, brussels sprouts, carrots and arugula.
Next week is the last for this year’s farmer’s market on Broadway, so I hope to load up on more potatoes, onions, and garlic, as well as the beans I previously mentioned. However I will be able to find many of my favorite farmers for winter greens at the Ballard and University locations throughout the winter, as well as at the Pike Place Market, where Alvarez sells daily.
People all over the US are buying more and more from local farmers, enjoying the benefits of superb taste and a higher nutrient profile from foods picked often the morning of your purchase. With the average meal in the US coming from as far as 1,500 miles away, buying food grown near your home is also great for the environment and supports the local economy. Many studies have shown local, organic foods purchased direct from the farmers are similar in price or often less expensive than conventional grown produce which has traveled from miles and miles away.
You can search for farms, farmers markets, or community supported agriculture shares in your area with some of the following links:
Puget Sound Area Farmer’s Markets
Local Harvest
Natural Resources Defense Council
USDA
Also of interest may be these case studies from Rural Roots, including one of Alvarez Farms: Northwest Direct Farm.
Enjoy this season’s harvest!
November 19th, 2007 at 10:24 am
[...] 16, 2007 in 1 by eatlocal One of our favorite local eaters, Scott Jurek, reports that he snapped up fifty pounds of local organic grub during a recent visit to his neighborhood farmer’s market, then hauled it all home on his [...]
November 19th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
My wife and I have been getting organic produce from a local organic farm for a couple of years, and it is great. We just received our last weekly supply last week, so we will have to get out more often to the farmers markets in our area over the wintertime. You are absolutely right about the taste. It’s also nice to support local farmers, and not have your food travel further every year than you do!
Happy running, and eating!