Real Food Rehab: The Best Tasting Food On Earth

For me, there is no joy at the average supermarket. The whole experience is a chore. First off, the lighting gives me a headache. Second, there's the complete disregard of the seasons. Sorry, but offering me Bing cherries in the middle of winter gives my whole body the NO feeling. Then there's the sushi bar with "authentic" sushi chefs situated next to the end cap of Flaming Hot Cheetos on sale. There's no connection to anything that makes sense to me from start to finish. There are plenty of other reasons I could cite here that are much more alarming and unnatural but I'll save you the grief. It's alienating and sad. I get in, buy my paper products and get out.

That said, let me take you back to an experience I had in Los Angeles many years ago. I was aimlessly wandering the streets of Santa Monica, when I stumbled upon a farmers' market. Being from Chicago, this was a completely new experience for me: street upon street laid out with incredible produce the likes of which I'd never seen; I remember tasting multiple varieties of avocado and citrus I never knew existed. I had conversations with some of the growers. I sampled delicious, locally made food products. I ogled crazy-gorgeous varieties of dahlias and orchids. The day was warm, the people were friendly, the colors, smells and tastes were abundant and all of a sudden, I started to cry. I was so supremely happy. I never knew shopping could be so beautiful. For me, it was one of those "This Must Be The Place," moments, and it changed me forever.

This is one of my most passionate causes; If I had one column to write, one urgent message that might change some people's lives for the better, this would be it. I urge you to seek out your local farmers' market. You will eat better than you ever have in your life. I want to convince you to make this a priority. I set one whole morning aside each week to visit my favorite market. It's my absolute greatest pleasure.

Your local farmers' market is where you will find the most beautiful, wonderful tasting, alive, fresh foods you can possibly get your hands on. If you're used to eating bagged, flavorless lettuce or those "baby" carrots that were picked about three months before you bought them, shipped from approximately a thousand miles away and extruded through a machine, your mind is about to be blown. Not to mention you'll be meeting the people who are growing your food and doing something good for the environment and your local economy.

In addition to fruits and vegetables, my favorite farmers' market also sells incredible local cheeses, unhomogenized milk that is night and day from grocery store milk, breads and pastries from local food artisans, and fresh pasta made from local, organic ingredients.

I think it's fair to say that farmers' markets might be intimidating to some people. Here are some tips to put you at ease if you're a first-timer:

1. First, take a walk around the market and see what everyone is selling. Let yourself take it all in. See what looks best to you and see whose faces and spaces you're naturally drawn to. You should feel no pressure to buy until you're ready. That's not to say farmers don't get excited about their product -- they might chat you up, but I've never felt coerced into buying anything and neither should you.

2. Getting to know the farmers is a gift. I go back to my favorite vendors over and over because it becomes easy and comfortable. I've built authentic relationships with these people and I love to support them. I know a woman who buys her eggs from the farmer who has the most children! That's her feel-good way of supporting them.

3. You may ask to sample anything you like. It's common practice to sample the wares before you buy them. Today I was standing at a stall deciding between pea shoots and micro-greens and one taste made my decision. Just remember, whether you choose to buy or not, to acknowledge the vendor with your gracious thanks.

4. There have been many times I've been completely stumped by some gorgeous vegetable I had no idea how to use. Celery Root was one of them. Ask the farmers -- they know. Oftentimes I've stood around and overheard conversations on how people use this or that. People like to share their knowledge and there is no shame in being a newbie. Always ask and try something new.

5. Every farmers' market is different. Find one that's convenient but moreover find one that moves you; one that can be a happy meeting place for you, your friends and your children. Some are in parking lots, some are in parks, some take up city streets. Some invite you to linger, some don't. Do a little research and visit a few to see what feels like home.

If our lives are measured by the quality of our day-to-day experiences, then by all means, put this one at the top of your list: Find Your Local Farmers' Market!

Local Harvest
http://www.localharvest.org/
Plug in your zip code and find farmers' markets, restaurants, CSAs and other food sources closest to you. An invaluable resource.

City of Chicago Farmers' Markets -- more than 20 neighborhoods have their own markets. Find yours.
http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/supporting_narrative/events___special_events/special_events/mose/chicago_farmers_markets.html

(c) 2009 Dana Joy Altman, Real Food Rehab, Inc.

Comments

[coconyc]

oo la la - a few crabby commentato­rs...

when i was growing up, i remember the local grocery stores had butchers and produce (union men and women) who were very proud of their role and provided the same experience you describe at today's farmer's markets.

i grew up 1 of 10 and there was not much to go around but we NEVER at at mcdonald's and though we were more a meat-and-potatoes family, we always had meals of protein, some carbs, and veggies. the farmer's market on saturday was an absolute treat and my parents stretched that as far as they could.

i think it's interesting we complain about the price of good and in-season produce but never comment on the fact that a box of cereal (i.e. chemicals, corn syrup) or chips (more chemicals and trans fats galore) cost anywhere from $3-6.

it's all in the perspective.

dana joy - keep sharing with us your JOY of good food that respects our bodies and serves our soul!

I trust these Men/Women of the Earth - whether they work in a farmer's markets or a local supermarket - will always serve you with abundance!

[Flavor]

Mrs. Altman love this article, I too love the farmers market, I think the vegetables and fruit are better and fresher and although you may pay a little bit more for your produce you are buying the best most times. I also enjoy meeting the people who sometime will help you in finding different items your looking for. Most of the people who are selling the fruit, vegetables, poultry ect.....th­ey are farmers. Thanks again for the article.

[Tom Lauria]

She's got no business knocking Wegman's and other grrrrr-eat food stores! Farmers'
Markets can be meager, depressing, dirty and rather ramshackle. Often, we find vastly over-priced produce and it can be a real downer -- high prices for knarly little apples or tiny loaves of bread. And forgot Farmers market cheeses and mushrooms -- the most expensive in the world!!! No thanks, Dana, but you've been hoodwinked into an upside-down world where second-rate sidewalk stuff is elevated while the finest, most abundant displays of food in the world are knocked-down.

[cinziac]

"you've been hoodwinked into an upside-down world where second-rate sidewalk stuff is elevated while the finest, most abundant displays of food in the world are knocked-down"
Tom - Seriously, are you kidding me with this comment? The finest, most abundant displays of food in the world are none other than those that were just picked at the peak of ripeness and driven a very short distance to your local farmers market, period. While prices for some items may be higher than you are used to paying in a big box or large chain store, if you take a closer look you just might find that this actually isn't the case overall. And I've never, not once, been to a farmers market from which I left feeling that it was a 'real downer.'
Frankly, it seems to me that you are the one who has been hoodwinked, Tom, and that saddens me greatly. Then again, with price and size as your base criteria, you are likely enjoying your Walmart-sized bag of processed cheese while swilling blue fruit drink and missing the point entirely..­.

[Kristin Heslop]

Thought-provoking, as always! Now I can't wait for the Farmer's Market this summer in Lincoln. Very inspiring ideas.

[tompoe]

Delightful article. Glad you didn't mention prices at these faux farmers' markets. It would have dampened the whole tone the article wants to convey.

[patia]

Lovely column, hon. I am anxiously awaiting the season opening of the Missoula Farmer's Market. It is a feast for the eyes, body and soul -- and one of our town's biggest social events!