July 27, 2008

Buying Locally

In my home county of Calhoun (Alabama) and the city of Anniston, we are fortunate to have not one but two venues for purchasing local fruit and vegetables, one sponsored by the downtown association and the other by the local extension office. With so many recent warnings in the media lately about vegetables that might make us very sick, it seems to make more sense to buy locally – to buy from the growers you are bound to meet early in the morning, proudly selling their crops. Yesterday I ventured downtown to check out what was available this week. No need to worry about shipped in vegetables; everything was absolutely fresh and very inviting. Buyers and sellers often form relationships as the buyer returns year after year, week after week to purchase from a farmer they have begun to know as a friend. Yesterday morning at Buckner Market (held in a park), one could buy everything from sunflowers to soap. A huge kettle was turning out hot kettle corn. Two stands sold much desired Chilton County peaches, a delicacy in this part of the South. Tomatoes, both traditional and heirloom, dotted the tables. Fresh corn stacked almost a foot high was available as was okra (I even saw some purple okra). One vendor was grinding fresh corn meal on the spot.  Peppers, cucumbers, and fresh eggs were readily available. I met a friend shopping for blueberries to make a pie. Refrigerators could easily be full for the entire week.

In addition to lugging sacks full of fresh produce, people were visiting and meeting political candidates for various local and statewide elections. If your community has a farmers’ market, visit it often. If you do not have one, lobby with your local town council, chamber of commerce, or extension office to get one started. Not only will you eat healthier and cheaper, but your food source will likely also be safer too. Summer isn’t summer for me without tomato sandwiches (made with a genuine Calhoun County tomato), one of the true treats of the season. Try one. I guarantee it will only be the first of many!