One of my favorite things to do in summer and early fall as a child was accompanying my mother to the local farm stand to buy fresh peaches, apples, cherries, tomatoes, corn and other local produce. I think it felt like such a treat because the Midwestern climate only allows for a few months of local harvesting. The rest of the year, much of the fresh produce we consumed was shipped in from other regions and countries. And no matter how well it's been packaged or transported, week-old apples simply do not taste as good as the ones picked from the tree just yesterday.
So, as an adult, I've developed a strong affinity for farmers markets, and it's heavenly to live in Portland where various markets run almost year-round. Some of these markets have evolved to be not just about the farmers and their produce: There are often prepared food stands and art vendors, tables hosted by community organizations and nonprofits, and live cooking demonstrations and music.
Instead of a stop-off for weekly grocery shopping, farmers' markets are now more like a weekly festival, and yet so intrinsic to the local culture here in Oregon that I don't think most people view them for what they are: a real treat.
[The images I selected for this post were taken by Viewfinders photographers Bruce Forster and Troy Klebey, and are available on www.viewfindersnw.com for licensing or as prints for purchase.]
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