Unless you be somewhere that never sees Robert Frost , the phrasal idiom “ winter farmers ’ market ” almost sound like an oxymoron . The things that lure us to the market place all summertime long , from the sweet fruit to chats with suntanned sodbuster , freeze up in the winter , right ? Fortunately , the answer to that is increasingly no . According to the USDA , wintertime farmers ’ markets are increasing in number around the country , growing more than 50 percent each year . Winter markets now account for roughly 25 percent of the market place listed in the USDA home directory .
Here ’s a closed book we ’ve bump : Winter markets cultivate an even good vibration than standard summertime securities industry . Why ? A feeling of gratitude fills the air because all of us , from farmers to shoppers , realize items for sale are more limited and we revalue any options at the food market all the more . We also miss the camaraderie and social fit hebdomadary summer markets bring . We yearn for some social prison term with our gastronome acquaintance so winter markets have even more of a merriment party feel .
We love the wintertime farmers ’ securities industry vibration so much that we ’re involved with organizing one here in our rural Wisconsin community . The Monroe Holiday Farmers ’ Market will have a focus on stocking up for Thanksgiving and get an early scratch line on vacation intellectual nourishment gifts . We ’ll be bringing our fall crops , such as leeks , cabbage and potatoes , as well as some put up token like pickles and sauerkraut . ( Did we mention the abundance of Brassica oleracea this season ? )
Whatever winter farmers ’ market you chaffer or vend at , here are some ideas to make the most of your experience .
1. Release the List
No , it ’s not your typical summer marketplace full of sweet abundance . That ’s part of the fun and , admittedly , challenge of eating seasonally : working with what you have . get go of your shopping list and instead run repast - planning inspiration from what you see at market place . Perhaps you ’ll be drawn to a unique winter squash in a color and condition you ’ve never consider before or fling on some sun - dried tomato .
2. Ask Questions
3. Start Holiday Shopping
wintertime farmers ’ markets can be a shopper ’s dream for unique talent items of the most practical , comprehended kind : food ! From colorful pickle veggie to jams and beloved , hand - craft foods offer a unspoilt way to begin your vacation shopping . Think about collecting a variety of item from different vendors to create food talent baskets with a multitude of topically made treats .
4. Shop Slow
Perhaps exalt by the quiescency of winter or that fact that we crave some gourmet securities industry companionship , folks seem to linger more at winter markets . We do n’t have as belt along a docket as in the summer and belike do n’t have a long schedule of other activities for the relief of the day , so we can take our fourth dimension and research and chat a bit . Embrace the slowness and relax and linger to link up .
5. Give Thanks
Take a moment to give thanks to thosefarmer heroeswho raise and craft the market ’s H.M.S. Bounty . As we go in the holiday season , take any market opportunity to not just buy something from a Fannie Merritt Farmer ( although please do that , too ) , but to connect and thank those in your country supporting local and community agriculture and enter the New Year and develop season on a honest note !
