When I was a child growing up in the Caribbean almost everyone had a kitchen garden and exchanged what they grew with neighbors and family. Almost every backyard had fruit trees. People bought their supplemental fresh fruits and vegetables from roadside stands and the Sunday farmers market. Farmers from different islands would also take or send their produce on boats to sell in the Sunday market.
Later, supermarkets started offering produce, but these were mostly bought from the farmers and were sold at higher prices than in the market. It was only in the 1990’s that the supermarkets started selling a variety of imported produce. The surprising thing is how this expanded-given the clear inferiority in the quality in much of the imported produce–I don’t know why anyone would buy a gas ripened supermarket tomato or unripe plum.
I have loved observing the growth of farmer’s markets in the US and have been to them in San Francisco and New York. They were just wonderful. While farmers markets have always been around in the Caribbean, I hope the Caribbean islanders take notes and expand their offerings. I also hope more people buy directly from local farmers.
In some Asian countries housewives go to the market several times a week, to get the freshest produce.
Apart from supporting local farmers and having fresher healthier and tastier food, farmers markets means less fuel is used in transportation, less pollution to the environment. And if it’s organic produce, even better.
You certainly can't get fresh like this when its trucked/flown or shipped thousands of miles
Luscious fruit
My friend Taly shrooming in the Noe Valley farmers market
Heirloom tomatoes and delectable eggplant
Farmers market also allow producers of agricultural products to sell and promote their goods-like olive oil, honey, cheese, pepper sauce etc.
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3 comments:
Hey, talking about the market took me back to San Fernando market and the noise, action and choice.
I am glad to see that here in Austin, there are quite a few farmers markets around.
Good post, great pictures,
Sal
Mouthwatering photos! I just love visiting anywhere that fresh produce is sold, be it a table outside someone's house or a full market. I have just picked my very last bowl of home grown tomatoes for this year. Sad to say it will be horrid, tasteless supermarket tomatoes for the next 7 months :-(
Farmers markets are becoming popular in Trinidad but as yet the offerings aren't as varied. I have found that it helps to ask farmers about other produce they might have that is not on display as they tend to focus on the less perishable goods. Sometimes they may other things that they just have not brought with them ( that they keep for home use) or might be able to point you to another farmer who has more exotic items and they will bring it for you the following week.
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