Farmers Market Love

There are simple things in life that give me great pleasure---one of these things is our family trips to the farmers market.

There is something so refreshing about strolling through a space, hand-in-hand with those I love, surrounded by heaping rainbows of the freshest fruits, vegetables, flowers, and plants. It's a symphony for the senses---beautiful sights, tastes, and smells, all intertwined amidst the lively chatter of people. 

Handing my money directly to a farmer feels so much more fulfilling than it being shoved into the cold cash register at a grocery store. Being able to know when the corn I'm placing into my bag was picked. Seeing photos of the chickens who laid the eggs in my carton. Sampling more varieties of watermelons and tomatoes than I knew exist. These experiences make each visit to the farmers market so deeply satisfying.

Regular trips to the farmers market also serve to strengthen an awareness of the Earth and the uniqueness of each season. As the types of fruits and vegetables piled on the tables change, my family and I grow to understand when each different plant grows...what types of conditions they thrive in. This might seem trivial, but I see each opportunity to connect with nature as extremely meaningful as the world we live in becomes increasingly industrialized and commercial. 

My children love going to the farmers market. They appreciate the experience just as much as I, although I am sure the chocolate cupcakes from the German  baker have something to do with that. ;) I am hoping our visits to the farmers market are something they look back upon with great fondness when they are grown.