At the market

I went to the local farmers market, and I have visited before. It is not big, but they had some tomatoes, peaches, and other fruits. I just went to pick up some tomatoes, since I have been a slacker and have not planted any. I stood inline with my cloth bag ready for the girl to plop my tomatoes down into. Imagine the horror when the lady in front of me requests separate bags for each item is buying and a second bag for her small bounty of tomatoes. I don't think a few tomatoes is going to break through the plastic, and if it is going to she should really be using cloth bags. Why oh why do these people continue with the habit that is so horrific. Take a bag with you to the market, how hard can it possibly be? Why be burden with the hot, flimsy plastic bag, when you can use a bag that is so much easier on your hands. Cloth bags don't cut the circulation off in your fingers, and certainly are not going to break at any moment, leaving your veggies tumbling to the ground.
If you have not switched, now is the time! No more excuses, get your bag, be fashionable, be earth friendly.

Farmers Market

I found a farmers market! It is at the Ft. Walton Beach Fairgrounds. This market runs Tuesday, Thrusday, and Saturday. I went this morning to find two vendors swarmed by a crowd of people. They had fruits from mini plums (she said they were tart) to okra. Yes, okra. I did not buy that of course, but I picked up a basket of peaches, and a basket of tomatoes. Everything looked good though. The bell peppers were huge, and the corn looked delicious. I will try on Saturday to see if there is more selection.
I think Saturdays are the big day at the market, more vendors and more people.

The farmers market is a place that I will frequent during the growing season. I have been told by late July, most of the local growing season has started to decline. I will take advantage of it as long as I can.

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

Yes, it rained...hard, and for about 2 and a half of of the 5 hours that I sat out at the farmers market. It was sad really. I got there to set up just as the rain started, at 7:30am. Both of my signs were painted by me, and I thought they turned out well. The sign in the back is made from a discarded portion of fencing, and the shopping bag sign is made from an old piece of canvas. Durning the worst part of the rain, the water was collecting on the top of my tent. I used my lint roller to reach it and push it out. Then it would cascade down and drench my feet. Good thing I was wearing my Keen flip flops. My trusty tent kept me mostly dry. There were no shoppers brave enough to face the downpour, but after 10:30 or so there was signs of life. This experience despite the rain was much better than my first visit to the farmers market. I was pretty happy with the way the tent was set up. I will be going back on August 2nd to try again, hopefully with better weather!

After the Market

The market was great, there were some wonderful vendors there. The weather was nice, except for the wind which was really whipping. It was difficult to keep the bags on the table. I learned a few things that will help for next time at the farmers market.
1. Make another banner, something with the "go green" or "Say no to plastic" idea on it.
2. Bring weights, for both the tent and for the bags.
3. Fill the bags, so people can see them better.
4. Eat sooner. (got a little cranky)
All in all it was a good experience.

There was only one thing that was disappointing. There were so many plastic bags given out at this market alone. Each booth had plastic bags hanging from the tent. There were people walking around with 4 and 5 plastic bags, only half full. I thought for sure more people going to a local farmers market would be using cloth bags. Don't get me wrong there were some reusable bags around and every-time I saw one it made me smile. It is such a small, easy thing to do, and it will help, if everyone does it! So get out there with your cloth bags and promote the use of reusable bags, and lets get all use a little less plastic!!!