Worthington Winter Farmer's Market Report

Locally produced cider vinegar from Anderson Orchard.  The floatie is the "mother," or the bacteria which allows the vinegar to ferment.

Wow - my first market report of 2008!  I finally made it to one the Worthington's winter farmer's markets, and I have to say I was impressed with the turnout.  I made it just after 10am, and it was packed.  As a matter of fact, I won't be having any all-local meals this week because the one stand selling onions, garlic, greens and the like was swamped, and after waiting in line for about 10 minutes, I was cut by a group of 5 greedy woman.  When did we un-learn lining up and waiting our turn.  To make matters worse, a few of these women began huffing and puffing when they thought the farmer was taking too long with the previous customer.  Should I begin adopting this behavior?  Is it the new standard?  Are these people really more important than I am?  It happened again, when I was buying eggs.  A women came up and stood beside me.  The farmer looked at me, because I had been waiting, and I placed my order while this woman began stamping and huffing.  Am I invisible?  I really can't figure this out, and it gets worse and worse every year (which is why I do my best to get to the markets as early as humanly possible, and why I love love love those people at Gilogly Orchards, who staunchly guard their always-long lines and scold those who try to jump to the front).

So, enough with the line-jumping whining.  I stopped by summer market favorites Up the Lane Cattle to purchase some nice beef shanks, and was also encouraged to buy a bone-in chuck roast (which I did).  A friend gave me her slow cooker recently and I need an excuse to break it in, so I'll have some more braising to do this week.  The folks from Up the Lane Cattle have even begun selling some great mugs and market totes with "Locavore" on them, and a definition.  It is a great idea, so you should buy some!  I was pleased to hear that they are really doing well at these winter markets.

I also picked up some tarragon flavored cider vinegar from Anderson Orchard, which I thought was really cool - I haven't seen anyone making vinegar locally, so I was pleased to see it.  The vinegar is very cider-y and slightly sweet.  It will make a great vinaigrette sometime soon.

Lastly, I stopped by Raven Rocks farm to pick up some eggs.  It is so nice to be shopping locally again, and I am encouraged by the turnout at the Worthington market, although it was, as some have noted, incredibly crowded, even right at opening time.  Hopefully by next year they will have to find a larger space; as it seems, there are more vendors than space, which is certainly the problem you'd like to have!  Also, with the success of this year's market, perhaps more farmers will begin cold-weather farming, so by next winter there will be more than just a couple of produce vendors.

Comments

[Gabriella]

I, too, can't stand the people. grrrrr. Well, I guess it's a good thing that locally produced food is getting more popular..

[Josie]

Wow... I was sad I missed this weekend's FM but now I am reconsidering. I wonder if word-of-mouth has made it a little busier? I went to one in December and while it was busy, it wasn't that nuts.

Also, I completely agree with Rosie - don't let those biddies jump ahead of you in line! Definitely point out that they are out of the line (literally and figuratively).

[Charise]

This is exactly why I've stayed away from the winter market. Well, this time anyway, because I've been out of town for the previous two. I have about zero patience for all the rude, pushy, whiny people I figured would be there. It would put me in a crabby mood for the rest of the morning, and I'm just not willing to do that right now. It's hard enough to stay cheerful in January and February!

[Anne]

We got to the market a little after 11 AM (darn the metroparks winter hike series for conflicting!) and it was still a madhouse full of rude. We managed to get scallions, onions, romaine and potatoes from H-W (the line and wait were really long, but they seemed to have enough of most produce.) We bought pork chops from one pork seller and bacon from Curly Tail, along with ground beef and a bone-in chuck roast from Long Meadows (which Ed suggested I cook in the crock pot.)

I have a TON of apple cider vinegar from Toad Hill - good stuff! Now if only I had more recipes that called for vinegar!

[Rosie]

Lisa,

Remember that you met me on the way out - and it was only about twenty after 10? I actually went in 10 minutes early, braving the nasty looks of the organizers, so I could talk to the folks at Meade Farms. I knew once the public showed up, it would be like a stampede.

And for those ladies that cut in front of you? Oh hell no! You are just too darn nice a person. They would have heard a little something from me. I have no problem saying to the farmer - I was next, these ladies ditched in line. And then I give them a withering look. Next time, take me along as your bodyguard - no more cutting in front of you! I'll wear my butt kicking boots!

I make a point of going to the summer market early as well. It's tiring - fighting the gaggles of people with their uber-strollers and dogs blocking the sidewalks and not being able to say hello to the folks who are running the stalls. I also get the best produce and have made lots of friends that way. I guess waking up at 5am everyday does really have its advantages.

BTW - all I bought was a bag of salad mix, some eggs from Raven Rocks and some baked goods from Meade Farms. I was hoping to see some more winter greens like kale. I was in the mood for some tasty sausage, kale and bean soup. I will make it a point of getting some of that vinegar next time. Thanks for being the guinea pig!

[Dave]

I went once, and the offerings were very nice, but I won't go again. I suspect it's more popular than they imagined; consequently, it's jammed and uncomfortable. I wasn't patient enough to get anything. But, on the same day, we visited old neighbors and got some fresh venison. Saved the day.

[valereee]

Now that local eating has become trendy, it's unfortunately attracting a lot of folks who don't really understand that a farmers' market is as much about forming relationships with the person who produces your food (read: having conversations with them, not simply trading money for food) as it is about actually procuring the food. These folks expect the line at the farmers' market to move lke the line at the supermarket. They get bent out of shape when the farmer runs out of an item. They get impatient when customers and farmers trade recipes. They turn up their noses at carrots that are shaped funny or potatoes that are small or apples that have a blemish. They can't understand why a dozen eggs is $3 when they're $1.29 down at WalMart. I don't know if it's just that they're new at this and they'll eventually learn, or if they'll move on when the next food trend hits.

[Brian]

I just got back from the market myself. You're right, the people are incredibly rude. Either they jump ahead of you in line, or they'll park themselves in the middle of the aisle and block all traffic.

I picked up a chuck roast from Up the Lane, a couple of small squash, and various and sundry jams and jellies from Sweet Things.

I would have got more, but I couldn't stand to be around the people for very long.