In most of the farmer’s markets across the country August is the month we all wait for. Berries are still available. Cauliflower is abundant in all its splendid colors. Steamer Clams and Dungeness Crab are fresh out of the ocean. Tables are overflowing with Fava Beans, Carrots, Cabbages, Melons, Tomatoes, Onions, Peppers, Apricots, Peaches, Corn, Potatoes, Artichokes, Flowers of every kind, and much more.
I hope you all visit your local farmers’ markets on a regular basis throughout their season. They are an essential part of the vitality and spirit of our communities and all the vendors depend on local support for survival. I would much rather give my dollars directly to the person who grows or prepares my food than to a large, faceless business that takes our sales dollars elsewhere.
I would like you to meet my good friend, George, a long time vendor at the Beaverton Farmer’s Market who grows celery and many varieties of lettuce. George is one of the nicest people you will ever meet and I hope that you will introduce yourself if you visit our market in downtown Beaverton. When you are there you can buy a big, beautiful head of butter lettuce or romaine for $1.50. You can’t beat that price! By the way, in George’s other life he is a math professor at Portland State University and has the sweetest little wife you could ever meet. We love you, George!
I’m joining The Tablescaper today for Seasonal Sunday.
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{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
What a beautiful market Cathy. I wish ours was as sophisticated and had more vegetables and fruits. We have more crafts and arts than food unfortunately. However I was able to buy some fabulous heirloom tomatoes yesterday.
Sam
My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Grilled Thai Barbecued Chicken – Just in Time for Summer Cookouts
A Great post, although Kansas Farmer’s markets are not known for their Crab… well, in one form, but that’s a different story and I digress.
Went to mine yesterday… Got a nice variety for the week!
Inspired by eRecipeCards.com recently posted..Fast and Easy Chicken Spread Sliders ala Hungry Harps
Wish I was there…
Those photos are PRETTY enough to hang on the wall……I LOVE the markets, we have some amazing ones her in SW France! That looks wonderful!
Great photos………
Karen
Lavender and Lovage recently posted..Slow Sunday ~ Poulet Nomade – Nomad’s Chicken – Herb Poached Chicken in a Jar
Hi George! Beautiful produce – don’t you wish it would be there all year round!
I think you must have one of the most wonderful farmers’ markets anywhere! It has been so hot here, I haven’t braved the farmers’ market for a few weeks but, luckily, ours is open 3 days a week and August is always the best time to visit.
Hi, George!
Susan recently posted..Spritz Cocktail
I’m so excited about all the fresh produce, and I’m totally with you. How great to hand my money to someone that grows it right here and picks it fresh the day you buy it. YUM! And your photos capture the abundance beautifully!!
Vickie from Part Three recently posted..Grilled Shrimp on Fennel and Arugula
I think I mentioned to you that the last time we were in wine country, I was fortunate to go to lunch in downtown McMinnville on teh same day as their beautiful farmer’s market. That would have been the last week of July. I had a wonderful time and would dearly love to attend Beaverton and meet George!
Lea Ann recently posted..The Best Sandwich in the World: Bacon Lettuce and Tomato
I’m a firm believer in Farmer’s Markets and they are one of the reasons I look forward to summer! I just picked up some corn at five cents per ear that are amazing! I also picked up some new potatoes and can’t wait to make a salad with them. You are so right about the need to promote our local farmers and keep our communities vital and engaged. If only more people realized how nice it is to stroll through a market and talk to the folks that actually grew the produce . . . ahh . . . but I’m preaching to the choir, aren’t I?
Maria recently posted..A Pothos Tale . . .
We have moved out of the area but tell George “Hi” from his former next-door neighbor Kathy. I remember him when he and his sweet wife were newlyweds!
I can not imagine nicer spend time than going to the market.In fact when we go on holiday in Asia this is my favourite thing to do.Great pic’s.,and love George;)
Dzoli recently posted..Kako brzo prodje vreme…Time is flying
I agree, buy local! USA needs all the help it can get, plus local produce is so much tastier!
If I drank wine I would buy from the wineries right here on LI. I am told they are excellent!
I love your mighty mosaic, and yes, end of Aug and Sept we get such wonderful produce!
Kathleen recently posted..Sailing into August and Sale ing!
PS, George sounds like a wonderful friend!
Kathleen recently posted..Sailing into August and Sale ing!
I wish we had such amazing produce to buy regularly over here. Our farmer’s markets are certainly getting better but the good ones are really hard to find.
I’m visiting via Seasonal Sunday.
Best wishes,
Natasha.
Natasha @ 5 Minutes Just for Me recently posted..A New Linky Party ~ Pinning and Singing on the Weekend!
Your market produce looks so good, but many of those things are long gone from around here. I can’t imagine finding clams and such at the FM – what a treat.
Larry recently posted..Peach Sangria Ala Beverly
adore farmers markets and you know stats show they are up 17% this yr
What amazing looking produce…so colourful. Whilst we do have farmers markets in the UK with locally produced.food for sale, it is rarely this vibrant and appertising!
What amazing looking food…so colourful. Whilst we do. Have farmers.markets in the UK they are rarely as vibrant and as appertising looking as this!
Helen Jones recently posted..Clandestine Cake Club in Headingley 31.07.11
LOVE it! This weekend, when our son was visiting here, I asked him two favors–the first was to cook for us and the second–to take me to his favorite farmer’s market of course:)
Have a great week!
Blessings, AImee
I just love going to farmers markets not only for the fresh products but for the inspiration you get for the meals you want to prepare.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes, Capers and Red Onion
I wish I could meet them. Cause I’m really wanting to go to your farmer’s market.
Ramona recently posted..Breakfast time…
Cathy, just yesterday we were talking about the beautiful produce the pacific northwest produces which included a discussion of the berries too.
This is a really good reminder for folks to visit their farmer’s market to find the best seasonal foods for their families. Awesome.
Velva
velva recently posted..Thomas Keller’s Fig Jam and Summer Heat
What a fantastic post Cathy; you were talking to my heart and soul. Sadly we don’t have this kind of market where I live; so I love hearing bloggers tell me about what they enjoy. It the best time of the year.
Rita
We made a special trip to a very small market a couple of towns over on Saturday, and I’m so glad we did. It was nice to meet the farmer and know that our dollars are staying in the area, helping a small producer to keep providing beautiful produce. I feel blessed that we have several market options here in the Kansas City area especially since the only thing I grow myself are herbs!
luvnspoonfuls recently posted..Asian Slaw
you take the prettiest farmer’s market pics!
teresa recently posted..6 Years Old
Lovely post – super photos – the veggies all look so good – enjoy!
Mary
Mary recently posted..Lemon Thyme Pound Cake with Marinated Strawberries and Mascarpone Cheese
Look at all of those gorgeous treasures! I am a huge fan of farmers’ market all year
Great post!
Magic of Spice recently posted..What’s for dessert? Tinged Creams and Tasting Parties
Such joyful color! And all from nature. Great to have your post being a part of Seasonal Sundays.
- The Tablescaper
It looks like the market is at it’s peak. I really must come and meet George, plus get some of your wonderful goodies.
Marilyn recently posted..Summertime
I love farmer’s markets, and I’m lucky to live within walking distance from one of the greatest in the world- Union Sq. Green Market in downtown NYC! But I’ve been spending a lot of my August in a small town on the Jersey Shore, and though there is a small farmer’s market in town on Thursdays, I have been pleasantly surprised by the availability of local produce in the nearby supermarkets which have been proudly stocking sweet Jersey corn, peaches and tomatoes. I’m glad to see that local farmers have been making connections with big supermarket chains, I hope this is a trend that is spreading all over the country, and not just down the shore!