Newsletters: May - June 2007

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The Joy of Farmers' Markets

By Bridget Kamke

A visit to a farmers' market is a thrill to the senses. You smell potted herbs and fresh cut flowers. You see colorful displays of vegetables in coolers and on tables. You may also see local crafts like necklaces, honey and healing balms. You hear friendly conversations, recipe ideas and growing tips. You feel the crisp greens and vegetables as you select them. And you nibble on your fresh purchases before you even leave for home.

Farmers' markets provide a wonderful source of local fresh produce. And they serve as outlets for our area's small farmers. When we buy locally we stimulate our community's economy.

The Tallahassee area has a few markets to choose from. Their scattered locations throughout town and varying days and hours of operation make the freshest seasonal produce available nearly every other day.

There are two FAMU-sponsored markets that work in collaboration with small, local farmers. One is the Grower's Market at Lake Ella, open every Wednesday from 3:00 pm to dusk and located under the oak tree by Black Dog cafe. This one features gardening workshops, cooking demonstrations and tastings. Frequently, people visiting Lake Ella, get side-tracked by the market. Babies and dogs are can always be found at this lovely outdoor market.

The other FAMU-sponsored market, created for state employees via special request from the State of Florida, is open on Mondays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Southwood. The Sunshine Growers' Market is in the Southwood state office complex on Esplanade Way, near the Department of Health. Non-state workers shop there as well.

On the weekend you can visit the oldest of our markets, the Tallahassee's Farmers' Market which runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the pavilion at Market Square.

Some of the farmers at these markets are USDA certified organic growers or certified naturally grown. Others are gardeners growing without pesticides, who haven't applied for certification but whose crops yielded more than their own families could eat.

As people are becoming more conscious of healthy eating, demand is high for fresh produce. As fast as the local producers can grow and pick their wares, the people of Tallahassee are buying them up. Herman Holley of Turkey Hill Farms says, "We need more farmers."

My favorite thing about the farmers' markets is preparing meals all week with fruits, vegetables and herbs grown by people I know. My salad is topped with Thomas's squash and Louise's tomatoes, seasoned with Jack's arugula, spiced with Sandy's peppers and sprinkled with Nan's sprouts. My food is flavored by love and community and nothing could taste sweeter.