Last Wednesday was the opening day of our local weekly Farmer’s Market. Out of 80 vendors, barely 15 showed up. It was cold. And rainy. Yet there we were, my husband, my girls and myself. I’d been looking forward to this day for months. I wasn’t going to miss it for the world.
Among the brave vendors who made it out that day to share their hard work with us were the cutest set of 20-something boys I’ve ever seen, who had fresh lobster, flown in that morning, from Maine. Lobster! From Maine! And they were all decked out in their bright yellow Stingray bibs and their wading boots, all to set the stage, I’d imagine. And it worked. Mark my words when I say that lobster is on an upcoming menu in our household. It’s one of a small number of things that I’ve yet to introduce the girls to. I’m fairly picky about my seafood. It has to be fresh, which in landlocked Utah usually equates to flown in, which equals a lovely seafood restaurant, a pricy meal, and really, no place for children. And I take my children just about everywhere. But some places? Well, they are just sacred.
In addition to the lobster boys, the lamb guy was there. And if you are a carnivore, as I am (as hard as I’ve tried not to be), do I really need to tell you how incredible organic, grass-fed lamb is? It’s pretty amazing.
But that was really it. There was no produce. Not a single stand. Oh, save for the nice guy selling what I thought was insanely overpriced teeny-tiny bags of mesclun. We took the entire (albeit brief) outing as an opportunity to teach Pea about the importance of shopping locally, the benefits of eating locally. I don’t know how much she absorbed of her impromptu lesson, but she did ask if we could go back. Of course, I said yes. I think we’ll be there every Wednesday, until closing day.
Oh, and next time? I will be sure not to forget to bring my own earth-friendly shopping bags by Baggu. Because this trip out? Oops. I forgot them, and I felt a little out of place, having to ask vendors for one of those, ahem, plastic bags. That’s not going to happen again…
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Melissa,
Until some scientific genius figures out how to create an environment right here in the lovely state of Utah that lobster can thrive in, yes, you bet I’m going to buy my lobster from Maine. And we’ll serve it with some fresh corn on the cob, from the guy who drives in from Wyoming, and sets himself up at the Farmer’s Market here in town. Oh, wait… come to think of it, his little farm in Wyoming is several hours away. Is that close enough for you?
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must go and lecture my daughter about the importance of only eating meat from animals that are humanely slaughtered…
You seriously lectured your daughter on eating locally after you bought lobster flown in from Maine? Is that a joke?
I haven’t been to the Farmer’s Market in weeks, it makes me sad. I’m glad to hear that yours is open for business, hopefully more vendors will show up next time. And YAY for shopping locally!
we go every saturday, it’s the best.
Farmers Markets are on our list of things to visit this summer. I honestly don’t visit them often but it sounds like a fun activity for little K man and myself to check out! Oh…and thanks for the tip about bringing our own bag!!