I inherited my green thumb from my granny. My granny was a gorgeous, statuesque, brown-skinned woman with a larger than life presence. Everything about her fascinated me. She was the pillar of strength. I mean that literally because that woman was unnaturally strong! With quick wit and a sharp tongue, she could dole out lashes as quickly as she served up sugar. She carried the wisdom and trauma of her ancestors in her body and the stories she shared when she was in the mood. Her name was Florida and she was my favorite person in the whole world.
We didn’t start out that way. I distinctly remember being scared of her as a kid. Honestly, I was scared of all elderly people as a kid. It wasn’t until she recruited me to help in her garden that our relationship shifted. Granny had a garden that covered the entire backyard. It was full of the basics like collard and mustard greens, spinach, strawberries, beans, watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, peppers, and a host of other veggies I can’t quite remember.
That garden taught me just how important it was to be connected to the earth, and I loved getting out there to pick juicy tomatoes that tasted like sunshine. When I got my first apartment, I immediately set up a patio garden to grow my own tomatoes.
I don’t currently have a produce garden because city living in Seattle means fighting with rodents and I refuse to be a food source for those miscreants. So, the next best thing is the farmers’ market. And in Seattle, we have several that are open year-round (University, Capitol Hill, West Seattle, Ballard, Pike Place). We also have a number of markets that open up in the smaller neighborhoods at the beginning of June. Imagine walking to the farmers’ market every week to grab the freshest seasonal fruits and produce! But it’s not just garden fresh food. There are also artisan cheeses and baked goods, specialty wine makers, jam and hot sauce vendors, and of course fresh flowers.
Neighborhood farmers’ markets are the perfect low-effort third space you can return to each week. You can wander from stall to stall, learning about each vendor. And because vendors tend to return week to week, you can really get to know the farmers responsible for nourishing your body. Talk about farm to table at its purest! There are several food trucks and food stands to visit if you want to grab a bite to eat while you sit for a spell to enjoy the live music. And the best part is this is truly a family affair. Most markets have kid corners complete with games, toys, and space for your littles to get out their zoomies.
I’ll be honest and say I’m not a fan of the dogs that are usually in tow, but I recognize I lost that battle by virtue of being a Seattle resident. These people love dogs way more than is logical. But dogs aside, my weekly trips to my neighborhood farmers’ market are easily the highlight of my summer.
So, what about you? Are you a frequent visitor to the farmers’ market? What do you like to get? If you need to locate a farmers’ market in your neighborhood, check out the Seattle Farmers’ Market website.
