For the Joy of Local Produce

I’m not a gusher by nature, but my weekly trip to the farmers' market makes me so happy, I have to share a quick post about it. When my little one is snacking on samples of fruit and cheese, and I’m filling the bottom of the stroller with fragrant fresh produce, I feel like I'm in food paradise. 

It reminds me that shopping this way isn't about obligations or guilt or fear or some misplaced self-righteousness -- it's about joy! It's hard to remember my reasons for buying produce anywhere else. 

Here’s this weeks haul from the market:

These Albion strawberries are always on my list. They're not organic, but they were picked less than 20 miles from my house about 2 hours before I bought them, so it's hard to complain. You can smell their sweet summery fragrance from yards away, and when we get close to this stand my daughter points excitedly. They always offer her a sample -- by the time we leave the market she has red juice all over her face and hands, and a big smile. 

Heirloom Mother Beck oranges and fresh, raw almonds from Etheridge Organics in Dinuba. I love getting samples of all the different citrus the farm produces, as well as kiwi and, new this week, dried figs! It's all delicious, but these Mother Becks blew me away -- it somehow tastes exactly like an orange should. 

Kale and and Japanese dandelion greens Underwood Family Farms. My husband surprised me last week by dusting off our juicer and experimenting with random combinations of whatever produce he could find in our fridge -- melon, carrot, spinach and apple was my favorite! He's been asking for kale to try, and these Japanese dandelion greens also looked promising.  

 

He also asked for mint, and I was so happy for an excuse to buy this beautiful bunch! The scent of this spearmint alone could send anyone into a food euphoria. When the baby was first eating solids I would blend some of this in with steamed green beans -- it was amazing. I got a surprisingly large bunch for just $1.50, so now I'll be looking for more ways to use this tantalizing herb. Any suggestions?

I'm delighted with these Persian cucumbers from Beylik Farms in Fillmore. I asked the farmer how they deal with pest control, and his happy answer was: beneficial insects. "It's about the only way to get rid of them without using pesticides," he said. "For every harmful bug there's a beneficial one." He mentioned that they use varieties of wasps and mites, as well as ladybugs. 

I used to think that all I could find locally would be kale and chard and collard greens, but I've also found more standard vegetable staples at the market. I bought extra carrots this week: some for snacking, and some for juicing.

Last but not least, also from Underwood, these handsome artichokes. I often see artichokes at the store for $3.00 each, but these were $1.75 or 3 for $5.00 -- so if you still think that fresh and sustainable food always costs more, perish the thought. We'll enjoy these with some steaks I bought at the Ventura Meat Company.  

Not pictured: farm fresh eggs and fresh cheese curd.

I’m getting better at planning my meals and shopping around the market. For the last couple of weeks I’ve spent roughly equal amounts at the farmer’s market, the Meat Company, and the grocery store. (My grocery store list has shrunk down to basically milk and other beverages, cereal and baking goods, a few shelf items like chili or peanut butter, and yes, bananas grown in Peru. The baby and I both love them, and they’re one of the few things that aren’t grown much around here.)

How important is it to you to eat locally? What items are hard to find in your area, and what do you do about it?