FARMER'S MARKET

About a year ago, the old farmer's market in the square was demolished. The old had a permanent roof, but apparently there just was not enough space for all of the vendors (and anyway, the city just wants to burn money so that more people will come downtown). So they built a fountain (a really cool one that children love) and cemented a large area so that the marketers could bring in their tents in order to sell produce.



While I have not been a frequent customer at the FM, I have noticed a change in sellers over the years since 2000. My first recollection was mostly older people, probably from Polish descent, who only sold vegetables. Then came the Hmong who as farmers back in Laos were extremely good gardeners. Little by little, more and more Hmong began to sell their wonderful produce. Along with them came a variety of flower bouquets. Just recently, I've noted that Amish have begun to sell, and with them comes all kinds of baked goods.

There are a group of Hmong young people who sell both fried egg rolls and also fresh spring rolls. Occasionally you will see jams and jellies and pickles. I remember last fall, there was one seller who only had canned goods, of all kinds, to sell.

Note the neat packaging. Produce is washed and otherwise cleaned.



The sales, obviously, are made because of the display of the items and also a relationship with the vendor.

It's early for tomatoes. I have small ones on my vines, both cherry and roma, and maybe within two to three weeks, some will begin to ripen.

This lady advertises her "hydroponically" grown tomatoes. And, wow, did they ever look good enough to eat right on the spot.

No, the dog is not a part of what is being sold!