Connecting Locally
I moved to the Bay Area in November 2014 for a job with a produce startup in Palo Alto. The premise for the job seemed simple: bring local produce into the community-shared farmstands at least 1x week. What complicated the matter was learning the area simultaneously to sourcing from the farms. The best part about having this job while also being so fresh to the area was I got to learn the area through farmers markets and driving out to small organic farms all over the bay. I was hired by Farmstand to be their operations manager but in less than 6 weeks after they hired me, the reconfigured the startup. I was out of a job, but at least I was now connected to the land in the most meaningful way possible to me- through the local food scene.
I made lasting bonds with the farms, where I still volunteer, and learned who was farming where. This built the backbone for me to be the best most-educated consumer I could be in a new home, and I know my way around 80% of the farmers markets in the area! Participating in farmers markets year round is one of the best ways to consume deliciously. You are guaranteed in-season produce and will most likely even get to talk to the person who grew your food. Marsha from Oya Organics is my favorite farm lady around and her farm in the Santa Cruz area grows the best spinach and cilantro I have found! Another huge perk about farmers markets is that even in the off-season, the farmers will have some goodies in store. I know Full Belly Farm from Guinda is especially good at this. Last year they busted out canned Early Girl tomatoes in January and the cheer they spread was palpable. Overall shopping at your Farmers Market will bring you closer to your community and your food, besides don’t you want to see some of these?!
Here are some articles on the economics of Farmers Markets, which have grown in number by over 300% since 1994 according to this survey by the USDA. Good stuff guys. Let’s keep it going.
https://news.wsu.edu/2014/04/21/study-economic-community-impacts-of-farmers-markets/#.VhH5JLxViko
http://www.pps.org/pdf/pike_place_economic_impact_study.pdf
Consume Deliciously always,
Anjuli