Discovering the Farmer's Markets ..... and falling in love with them!

[marmar]

With produce costs at the supermarket going up, up, up, I've been going to the farmer's markets in the Detroit area each and every weekend......I've really been missing out!
You tend to take things in the area where you live for granted. On trips to Europe, I loved going to the open-air markets in the big cities. And despite the fact that there are numerous farmer's markets in Detroit and its suburbs, I never stopped at them, opting for the "convenience" of Kroger, Meijer et all.
But a venture down to the farmer's market on a sunny Saturday afternoon is a great experience. It's friendlier, you actually talk to your fellow shoppers rather than groaning at them for taking too long at the self-check out machine, and buy from the growers. And I've discovered how much produce we grow right here in Michigan: It's not just Traverse City cherries and Michigan apples! :)
So I've been making the rounds - The big Eastern Market in Detroit, the local farmer's markets in Royal Oak and Ann Arbor, and so on. In addition to the cost savings, the community experience they provide in priceless. If there's one positive by-product of the imminent economic upheaval and the end of the oil era, it's a return to such localized economic activity.

Even though venturing into a supermarket is not completely avoidable, it sure is fun trying to avoid them now! :P

[agingboomer]

1. I've been selling at farmer's markets for years

The quality of produce and other handmade and/or homemade products is very high. The variety of interesting things to buy is amazing. All that money goes right back into the neighborhood. I've been afraid that my sales would go down because of the economy, but they've only gone up. Some good news at last.

[driver8]

2. I buy produce from our farmer's market every weekend.

It is fresh and delicious, and the money stays local.

Plus, it's always fun to chat with everyone selling produce and to taste their samples!!