Farmers Market

As I prepare for my "adventure" in six weeks (wow - not long) I am already looking for ways to change some of the eating habits of my family. I know that when I return in mid-July from the Structure House there will be some major changes in my home, so I'm trying to take a few baby steps before I leave - hopefully making the changes not so drastic when I return. A few of the blogs I read are written by people who eat either organic or all natural foods. Although I'm not ready to jump on that completely yet, I am interested in eating locally grown foods when possible. We've made some minor changes in the types of foods we purchase at the store and are slowly making changes here and there. Although I still have to admit I LOVE to eat out at a restaurant and I love to eat at Chick-Fil-A!! Again, these things will, I'm sure, change in the near future. Won't give them up completely I'm sure, but I know changes will be made!! Six weeks... Anyways, today was the first Saturday of the local Frisco Farmers Market.











I wish I liked tomoatoes - these look good enough to eat!! Maybe I'll get some for Shannon sometime.

This is the 3rd year the Farmers Market has been on the Frisco Square. I've had every intention of going for the past two years and have just never done it. This year I put opening day on my calendar and didn't schedule any morning photo shoots. It was real nice to get to go and shop and take a few pictures. I didn't buy very much this morning, mainly wanted to see what it was all about. I did walk away with some new potatoes, cucumbers, and corn from a gentleman who lives in East Texas. He doesn't grow certified organic food, but I talked to him a bit about his process. He said the only thing he does different is that he uses fertilizer on his plants. He said he didn't spray his plants or use pesticides. I need to do a bit more research on all this, but for now, I liked the look of his produce and hope that I like what I taste.
The market has everything from produce, to a local baker who mills his own flours, to a local natural honey farmer (are they called farmers?), a lady who makes all natural dog treats, jewelry makers, glass etching, you name it.


This jewelry stand had some beautiful pieces of art. The Purple-Kiwi

While there, I also purchased two necklaces from two different vendors. One of them I saw I really loved their work and style. I needed a present for a friend of mine who was having a special birthday in about a month and there was one necklace I spotted and couldn't pass up!! (no photo - she reads the blog and that would spoil the surprise!!) The other one I purchased was for me!! It caught my eye when I walked by the booth and after a minute or two talking to the gentleman about his business and why he made jewelry, his wife walked up and I knew her!! I was glad to help support her family business. Forgot to take a picture of them - dang.

Anyways, I enjoyed taking some pictures of the foods, so fresh and ripe. Now that I kind of know what to expect from the market I'll prepare my weekly menu with the foods available in mind. I really enjoyed the whole experience. I just wish that the foods were available the rest of the year. As for now the market is only open from May - September. The few farmers I spoke with today were from East Texas. I'll plan more time next Saturday after my morning photo shoots and chat with the farmers a bit more about how to buy locally grown food all year. I haven't found any place in Frisco to purchase this food other than the Market. We have a Sprouts that offers a variety of Organic foods but most of them are not grown locally and many of them are not grown in the USA. I know not everything can be purchased from a local farmer all year, but I've still got a lot to learn about how/when/what to buy. As with anything it will be a LONG journey - I'll continue to be a life long learner when it comes to food in general.