Have you ever thought of what a wonderful place we live in?  It’s beautiful!  Relatively healthy and clean!  We can step out our doors and within a few minutes, if not immediately, be surrounded by green.  The variety and richness of our lives as Vermonters is amazing!  We can go for a walk downtown and know many of our neighbors.  Biking, boating, fishing, disc golf, hiking, rock-climbing, and opportunities for just good old playing are readily accessible almost everywhere.

We do not live in isolated beauty; we can joyfully connect and build relationships around our shared passions.  If you have an interest you can probably find someone who will join you… did you know that JSC has a hammock club? On warm days when school’s in session you’re apt to see a half dozen hammocks at various heights swinging from the trees around the quad. One of my favorite places to connect and enjoy the bounty of our communities is at our local farmers’ markets.  There, I can enjoy music, great conversation with my neighbors who are often the vendors, travel to distant cultures through the flavors and smells of foreign cuisine made moments before I eat it, and take-home an array of tasty, in-season local food.

I’ll admit -if you’re not used to shopping this way attending a new market can put you on sensory and relational overload, but take your time and go back often and soon you’ll be shopping like a regular.  Here are a few thoughts from my personal experience that may help:

1. Go when you have time to take time.  Plan to spend at least 15 – 30 minutes at the market.
2. Get the “lay of the land.”  Walk through the entire market before buying.  There are so many interesting finds beyond fruits and vegetables at the market.
3. Greet the vendors.  Saying, “Hello, how are you today?” does not commit you to buying.  I found when I first started attending markets, especially the smaller markets, I’d feel guilty if I only bought from one vendor.  It’s ok to develop your favorites. Vendors know that not everyone will or can buy from every stand.  They don’t expect you to, but they are grateful that you’re there and sharing your day with them.
4. Ask questions.  I daresay that most of us do not have Alton Brown in our head telling us what a vegetable is and how to use it.  “What in the world is kolrabi and what do I do with it once I get it home?”  Chances are if a farmer took the time to grow it, they’ve taken the time to know what you can do with it.  Farmers can also teach you how to choose and store the best and ripest produce.  Just ask.
5. Share your experiences.  If you bring that kolrabi home and find a recipe online that you love, print a copy and bring it back to share.  This is one of my favorite things about the market.  Many vendors will not only share their personal experiences, but those of other customers in the use of their products.  You have access to a great collective knowledge about a specific fruit or vegetable that you often won’t get in a grocery store.
6. Samples… Vendors often have samples and you can try something new without buying the whole wheel of cheese.
7. Know ahead of time if the market you’re attending takes debit, EBT or WIC coupons.  If they only take cash, plan accordingly and bring smaller bills unless you’re buying large quantities.  Also setting a budget for the outing helps, if you’re like me you’ll get carried away!
8. Bring a bag or basket to collect all of your goodies.  Not necessary, but helpful. – A pocket calculator too!
9. Start small… don’t try to buy your entire week’s produce on your first trip to the market.  Plan to buy enough for one or two meals/snacks.
10. Be brave… challenge yourself to buy or try a sample of one new item that you might have never eaten before.  Find out as much as you can from the vendor, bring the item home, research online, or check out a new cookbook at your local library.
11. Make it a family experience… Yes, this can be overwhelming when your kids are literally pulling you in two or three different directions and asking for everything (I speak from personal experience), but if you have a plan going in – it can be a wonderful experience.   If you can, allow the kids to each choose one item that will be part of your family’s eating that week.  Keep in mind the above thoughts for them as well.  Share your plan before you get out of the car.  “Today we need to stop at the farmers’ market, we’re going to walk around and look at everything first, then you’ll get to pick out one vegetable you’d like us to try this week.  Your challenge to find out all you can about it, so we’ll know what to do with it when we get it home.”  or sometimes just the, “Mommy’s going to do a little shopping.  Once that’s done we can get you a treat.”       
12. The show will go on… Know that the farmers/vendors will most likely be there rain or shine.  They are a hardy bunch and their product is ready when it’s ready.  Don’t let a little rain keep you away.  They’ll be glad to see you!
13. Think ahead… are there items at the market that you could pick up to stow away for a birthday or Christmas present?
14. Enjoy the market… there’s often live music, demos, and good company.
15. Share your experiences with others… shoppers help the markets and our local economy to grow.

Lamoille Valley Markets: