Last week, in case you missed it, was National Farmers’ Market Week. Or maybe you didn’t read (say it ain’t so) your entire LFM newsletter…or maybe you were just having too good a time here at the LFM to notice. So I’m going to linger a little on what deserves more than a passing nod. What’s the big deal about Farmers’ Markets anyway?
Maybe you didn’t know that over 70 percent of all the food we eat comes from small farms of 25 acres or less. Or that without local farmers’ markets, some of these small farms would simply (as sadly, many have) go out of business. And their loss would be ours as well, for oh so many reasons.
And all those abandoned acres…would they just be left for the birds, bees and butterflies to enjoy? Hardly, no and uh-uh. Before you can say zippity-do-dah they’re sprouting concrete and colonials instead of peaches and potatoes. Goodbye bunnies, hello leaf blowers.
But thanks to the perseverance (also sweat and tears) of our local farmers, plus the growing interest in little things like clean air, water, and chemical- and tamper-free comestibles, the little guys are fighting back. And that’s where the LFM comes in.
If farmers’ markets are a reflection of the community they serve (and they are), our little town certainly proves the point. From my seat in the Market Manager tent, I get to watch a passing parade of shoppers and families of every skin tone, hair adornment and dress, from cut-off jeans to yards of kente cloth. Accents from South Philly to the Southern Hemisphere live in our village…I love it all.
I know we mostly talk about food here, but truthfully, food is just the beginning. Each week I see people coming together, talking in groups, sitting to listen to music, laughing at someone’s joke or sharing kid pix. Just enjoying the moment. Oh, and to shop for straight-from-the-farm food. Our produce may come from the exurbs, like Chester and Montgo Counties, but here in Lansdowne we grow community. And that’s what it’s all about, Alfie. (A Market Buck if you can sing the opening line from that song.)
As the weeks go along, we see the farmer’s calloused hand in the diversity of foods rolling from season into season. From the tender greens of Spring to the in-your-face (and straight-to-your-mouth) of Summer reds and yellows. And then…way before I’m ever ready…the first apples barge right in, as they did last week at Fruitwood Farms. Just in time for school lunch boxes, which I’m not even sure kids carry anymore. And shoes with tops, and sweatshirts, and…nope, not nearly ready.
So gather ye rudbeckia while ye may…along with the corn, cucumbers, tomatoes and zucchinis (more on them next time) that are still crowding the produce tables, and make room in the freezer for the last of the peaches and blueberries. Or, like me, eat your fill now and learn the zen of (im)patiently waiting for the tastes of the seasons to roll around again.
Even though she is not paying me to do it, I’m going to recommend this one more time: Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, in humorous and relatable fashion, will give you some real insights into what it takes to get from seed to soil to stomach. Beg, buy or borrow a copy.
Be sure to read the entire newsletter to see who’s coming this week, or go to our LFM website or FaceBook page.
In the Music Tent: Charlie Bell and his acoustic guitar. Charlie has been performing and teaching locally since the ‘60s. Sit and chill with him at the Landing side of the market.
Artist of the Week: Maddy Tree Books: Madelyn Lang’s take on a Japanese binding method to create unique personal journals and sketch books. Beautiful as well as useful. A great gift idea for that writer or artist you know.
Health & Beauty: Sara Burns and Kiss My Soul with scents that will put a glow on your skin and in your living room. My go-to for soaps and candles.
I also need to give a shout out to the weekly crew in the Community Y tent and their great work with the younger crowd at the market. All that fun will grow some future farmers’ market fans.
Lots of nice weather still in the forecast. Use it to enjoy your town, local events (like our Sept. 14th Doggie Day at the market), or just hanging out at the Landing. Next Community Pot Luck will be Sept. 10.
And be sure to mark your calendars for Sept. 22 and our Arts on the Avenue.
See you here, there and everywhere!
Terry Baraldi