The farmer's market

[rebeccmeister]

Yesterday's shopping experience contrasts nicely with my recent report about being a bit overwhelmed in the Whole Foods produce section, where I wasn't sure what was REALLY local and in season. You see, the Downtown Phoenix Public Market and other such Arizona farmer's markets are automatically limited to food grown or produced in Arizona. When I arrived yesterday, the market was bustling, the busiest I've ever seen it since I first visited. I'm certain that the cooler weather had something to do with that.

I bought a somewhat random assortment of things: crackers, jam (locally produced from non-local produce--I doubt choke cherries grow around here), sandwich bread, farmer's cheese, eggs, pears, tepary beans, and basil. These will hopefully complement the produce I get through my Crooked Sky Farms' Community-Supported Agriculture subscription.

It was interesting to do some shopping comparisons: the crackers and bread that I purchased were moderately cheaper than what I have customarily purchased at Whole Foods, and additionally in this case I know that more of the money will go directly to the people that I handed it to. The tepary beans were perhaps a bit more expensive than comparable conventional beans (I bought black teparies, which I generally use instead of black beans), but they're still cheaper than canned beans. Apparently the guy who sells them mostly grows and sells them on one of the reservations south of the Phoenix area, and is trying to get some expanded interest in them--they're a native bean variety that supposedly contains nutrients that are better for pre-diabetic-type people. I'm not sure how things worked out with respect to the cheese--Whole Foods just started to carry it and I didn't check the price last time I was in there. I *do* know that I really enjoy stopping by the booth of the lesbian couple who sell the cheese. They're incredibly happy people and it's clear that they love sharing the food that they make with others.

I'm a bit excited about the eggs because I just finished reading a bit about truly cage-free eggs and their potential benefits, and of course you probably know by now what I'm going to do with the basil. The jam will serve as a replacement for all of the delicious homemade jam that I have finally (and sadly) finished off. I think next year I'm going to have to orchestrate a more extensive jam-making operation for myself, either by making a year's supply while in Seattle or by sourcing a reasonable fruit assortment here in Arizona. It's time to try my hand at these things. I don't have much time to spare right now, so it's out of the question for the moment, although I keep eyeing the prickly pear fruits along the side of the road and wondering if the plants' owners would really miss a few fruits here and there.

Comments

[trifold-flame.livejournal.com]

Some people whose home I walk by on my adventures have the most beautiful pomegranet tree, and it is SO heavy with fruit, and they look so perfect. I am getting real close to the point where I knock on their door and ask if I can buy some off them.

[zoobar.livejournal.com]

The Boy's mother has cage-free chickens that eat veggies and grains rather than "chicken feed" and their eggs are the most spectacular eggs I've ever eaten. They ruin you on any other type of egg and, much like cows milk, you can tell what the chickens have recently been eating by the flavor (and sometimes color) of the egg.

I am in love with prickly pear! Arizona Cactus Rance (http://www.arizonacactusranch.com/) makes a wonderful fruit leather that's great for snacking. I don't know much about the purported benefits of Prickly Pear fruit but the good stuff is ridiculously tasty!