Shopping Local Produce

I awoke this morning to a strong urge to visit a farmers market. There's something magical about a sunny, warm (not hot!) summer day that puts an air of freshness in your step. And my feet wanted to find food, but not any food: fresh food. 

Luckily, Chicago has an amazing website listing all the farmers markets by days of the week. Sunday, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., one is located in Wicker Park off Damen. It's a cute little farmers market, hosting everything from cheese and meats to fresh veggies and fruit, and even a sprinkling of bakery vendors and a stand for making crepes!  

Unfortunately, I awoke late in the morning, (is 11:45 still considered morning? or are we breaching the afternoon mark?) but headed over instantly. Luckily I wasn't too late that all the good carrot bunches were taken, as I wanted to make the carrot soufflé again. It was so good and I had extra ingredients left over that I decided it was worth my while to revisit such a wonderful dish (the recipe to follow shortly).

However, a note to all farmers market patrons. It's always best to visit these places as early in the day as possible. With an earlier visit, you are privy to the best picks of the day. By noon, all the blueberries were gone and the selection of the season's last strawberries ha almost disappeared as well. The carrot pickings were still okay, but there was a lot to be missed by attending so late.   

Also, farmers market does not always equal organic. It does equate itself with complete freshness, but don't be swindled into thinking that all farmers market goers are all all organic. Unless the market specifies that its vendors adhere to that standard, or the vendors themselves specifically make a point to say they are organic, you are not necessarily paying for organic food. You are paying for freshness and in support of the belief that family run and small-owned farms deserve as much of our patronage (if not more) as corporate or large-owned farms. 

Still, I love farmers markets. They make you feel alive and in touch with the natural goodness around you. There's also something about paying a little more for peak freshness and great quality that makes you truly appreciate the food you are eating. So thank you, dear farmers, for your continued service and love of food. I will look forward to buying more from you next week.