It was a chilly 40-something degrees this morning but that didn’t stop me and my friend Marjorie from heading to the farmers’ market for some fresh fruit and veggies.  I just can’t stand the cold and today was a serious reminder that chillier days are just around the corner.  Buy there’s not much that can keep me from locally grown produce, especially because the days for the market are dwindling.  So with hats and gloves on, and our recyclable grocery bags in hand, we perused the vendors, shopped and chatted.

In New Haven, City Seed organizes a number of farmers’ markets in different locations. I have a habit of alternating between the Saturday market in Wooster Square, a charming Italian neighborhood just a short walk from downtown, and the Sunday market in Edgewood Park, on the other side of town in Westville. I love the Saturday market because they have more vendors and variety and it’s a big social gathering. I almost always see people I know and have a chance to catch up. But the Sunday market is great too. It’s a bit more mellow and I love supporting Common Ground High School, one of the vendors. I’m on their board of directors and they have an amazing organic garden in which they grow produce for school lunches and to sell at the market.

Today I bought my favorite salad greens, eggplant for roasting, brussels sprouts, last of the corn on the cob for the season, carrots for soup, apples, sweet potatoes and broccoli. Check back later this week to hear more about the creations I’ll be making.

To be honest, I love going to the farmers’ market for multiple reasons:

• I get inspired by the produce and what I can create (like my roasted carrot and parnsip soup that I’m whipping up)
• I get to support local farmers and buy fresh, super-healthy food
• I have a chance to hang out with Marjorie, my 70-something friend who’s wise and wonderful. We always laugh and have a great time and I can support her in accessing fresh food since she doesn’t drive (check out this past Tuesday’s blog post for more about Marjorie)
• I get fresh air (even though today by fingers were almost numb by the time I got to the car!)

I don’t know about you but I can’t think of a better way to start off the weekend than with fresh air, good friends and locally grown, healthy food. If that doesn’t support a healthy lifestyle, I’m not sure what does.

Filed under: Brussels Sprouts, Farmers' market, Healthy Meals, High Quality Food, Locally Grown Food, Vegetables