Visiting the Farmers’ Market

Farmers have a unique profession. They feed everybody –no exceptions. Without farmers, no one would eat! There are dairy farmers, grain farmers, produce farmers, all shapes and forms of farmers. The American farmer, if allowed -and compensated to do so- could easily feed the whole world. He has the knowledge and the ability. Farmers are independent, yet dependent: on the weather, on their own ingenuity and creativity, on hard work, and on faith - not necessarily in that order!


Farmers’ markets are found all over the world. If a farmer has surplus food, he is going to either give it away or sell it. And sometimes that amounts to about the same thing. Farmers generally sell their produce very inexpensively. Not only does one get good food and fresh merchandise if he frequents these markets, but he comes away saving a great deal on his food budget. And it’s fun to go there!

Farmers’ markets come in all sizes. There are one-farmer stands; there’s the pick-up truck by the side of the road; then there are the co-operative markets. Some of the co-op markets are quite diversified – but then, so are farmers! The market in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is one of the largest this writer has ever visited. One can purchase just about any farm product he can imagine. Even cedar branches and beauty berries (for decorating) are available; nuts, shelled and unshelled; live plants for transplanting in your garden; honey and syrup; farm-made cheeses; fried apple pies; entrees for dinner; meat for the freezer; and handmade crafts including furniture and rugs. Strolling down the wide corridors of the indoor facility is not only a feast for the eyes, but for all of the senses. One hears folks selling their wares, food sizzling on the grills, trucks moving in and out of the booths. The smells are tantalizing: food cooking, fresh citrus and other fruits, fresh pine and cedar, chocolates cooling on the marble slabs, gardenias in buckets, pungent bales of straw and hay for rabbits and horses. All sorts of little tidbits are available for tasting, and folks are encouraged to “take a bite”. The smoothness of the furniture and fabrics provides the feel of quality to the shopper.

For the farmer, or the wanta-be farmer, going to the farmers’ market takes on an entirely different aspect. Food products must be harvested, cleaned, and packaged. Scales must be procured. Change in a change box must be assembled. Bags must be found. The truck must be loaded. The alarm must be set early in order to arrive at the market place by 6-6:30A.M. Often, this means that spouse and children do the selling while others are at home continuing to tend and harvest the crops. It takes several hands to sell and package a pick-up full of sweet corn, several boxes of tomatoes, and a crate of string beans. Customers get to know the farmers, which ones have the best produce, and they become regulars – and friends, sometimes forever!