Eating local and organic foods, or a combination of both, is a trend that’s quickly catching on. We all know that if you can find these foods, you struck gold. Not only do they support local farmers, but they’re so much fresher and more flavorful. However, because of where you might live or other situations, a lot of people miss out on these things. Organic produce in grocery stores might cost you an arm and a leg, not exactly worth it for that juicy organic peach. But, if you’re lucky enough to live near a farmer’s market or a co-op grocery store, you are lucky and should take full advantage of the gifts given to you.
I’m a college undergraduate, which means I love a good deal to save me money. I’m also a very health-conscious person, so I want the best possible fuel for my body. This weekend I took a ride with a couple friends to a farmer’s market in another town. I heard about it before, but never took the will to go. Let me first clarify my situation. I attend Washington State University and it’s close to the Idaho border, where Moscow is. I like to ride my bike into Moscow for food because stores there are cheaper. This market was in Moscow. I’ve been to farmer’s markets back home in Hawaii, where the best of the best produce is sold directly from the farmer. However, you don’t save much because produce in Hawaii is pricey.
After a few minutes of wandering around this market, I was filled with jubilee. I made a round first to check out the many stands, then decided where to go. I went to a produce stand, a rather large one. This farm specialized in all organic produce. I bought peaches, nectarines, apples, tomatoes, and pears all for $1.50/lb. They even had yellow low-acid roma tomatoes, something I’d never seen before and was excited to try. Then there were the peppers, oh the peppers. This was the biggest spectacle of pepper display I had ever seen at a market, maybe even at a store. Three boxes high and about thirty long, the peppers never ended. I was astonished at all the peppers I had never seen before. There was spicy cayennes, habaneros, jalapenos of all types, marconis, Japanese, Mexican, and more of a plethora I could not name. I settled on some spicy cayennes I intend to stir fry with and put the rest in the fridge to make chili pepper water. I also got a sweet, spicy Italian Marconi. At this stand, I spent a little over $8. Incredible for organic produce.
At another I bought a bunch of fresh carrots (greens and all!), a generous bundle of Rainbow Swiss Chard, summer squash varieties, and potatoes for about $6. Then at an artisan bakery stand, I bought a Miche (cross between whole wheat and rye) for $5.50. After eating a sample, I was convinced to buy the round. Finish it off with a caramel pecan cinnamon roll and a mango citrus iced green tea for $3.75, and I was good to go. All this and I only spent a little over $24. All these fruits and vegetables will easily last a week. You’d be surprised at what you can find in your town, or the one next door. You just have to look and be open to new ideas. Now that I know where to go, I’ll be biking there every weekend to stock up. Fresh local produce cheaper than the local Safeway ... I hope the food will endure the eighteen-mile bike trip with me.
