2008 Woodie Awards
The Rhody Eat Beat: Farmers' market has surprises for everyone
Rebecca Long
Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: Editorial/Opinion
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10/25/07 - If, like me, you enjoy eating out but sometimes can't justify the cost when the choice is between that and the rent, you may appreciate this alternative. Shopping at a farmers' market offers a more interesting experience than grocery shopping, but doesn't empty your wallet the way a decent restaurant can.
Don't be fooled; farmers' markets aren't just for skilled home cooks. They have everything from fruit and vegetables to cheese and bread.
There are many advantages to getting your produce at a farmers' market instead of a grocery store, despite the higher prices. Not only are you supporting local businesses and sustainable farming, you also have access to fresher, higher quality and often organic ingredients.
The better quality of the produce is due to several factors. The items are often better because they have not been selected to survive long journeys or weeks of storage. They have not been selected for appearance either. For example, many heirloom tomatoes may look unappealing. They can be misshapen and asymmetrical, but the flavor is incomparable to the tomato-shaped cardboard you get at grocery stores.
The produce at a farmers' market is fresher and has been picked when it's ripe. For instance, fresh potatoes are a completely different experience. I recently tried little ones from Ledge Ends Produce and was stunned. Instead of being dry and starchy, the inside had a completely different texture - it was much softer and creamier. The flavor was buttery so you don't have to smother them with butter the way you do with a baked potato.
What converted me was not the potatoes, but the apples. I have virtually given up on grocery store apples. Most are too mealy for me without enough flavor to make it worth it. What brought me over to the other side were Barden Family Orchard's apples. Available at the farmers' markets at Casey Farm, Goddard Park, University of Rhode Island, Kennedy Plaza, Brown and others, they offer fresh produce including apples and peaches. If you don't know the difference between a Macintosh and a Gala, just ask the person working for a recommendation.
Don't be fooled; farmers' markets aren't just for skilled home cooks. They have everything from fruit and vegetables to cheese and bread.
There are many advantages to getting your produce at a farmers' market instead of a grocery store, despite the higher prices. Not only are you supporting local businesses and sustainable farming, you also have access to fresher, higher quality and often organic ingredients.
The better quality of the produce is due to several factors. The items are often better because they have not been selected to survive long journeys or weeks of storage. They have not been selected for appearance either. For example, many heirloom tomatoes may look unappealing. They can be misshapen and asymmetrical, but the flavor is incomparable to the tomato-shaped cardboard you get at grocery stores.
The produce at a farmers' market is fresher and has been picked when it's ripe. For instance, fresh potatoes are a completely different experience. I recently tried little ones from Ledge Ends Produce and was stunned. Instead of being dry and starchy, the inside had a completely different texture - it was much softer and creamier. The flavor was buttery so you don't have to smother them with butter the way you do with a baked potato.
What converted me was not the potatoes, but the apples. I have virtually given up on grocery store apples. Most are too mealy for me without enough flavor to make it worth it. What brought me over to the other side were Barden Family Orchard's apples. Available at the farmers' markets at Casey Farm, Goddard Park, University of Rhode Island, Kennedy Plaza, Brown and others, they offer fresh produce including apples and peaches. If you don't know the difference between a Macintosh and a Gala, just ask the person working for a recommendation.