A Guide to Holiday Farmers Markets
November 18, 2009
It is cold, dreary, and windy here in Portland today and I am already reminiscing about summer trips to the farmers market. I loved wandering the market, while loading up on fresh produce and local products. I think it is a fun alternative to grocery shopping, but it usually seems like a spring and summer activity. Now that it is November, I have to remind myself that the only option for farm fresh produce is not just winter squash (I’m already getting a bit sick of squash though I am enjoying freshly toasted pumpkin seeds as I’m typing this). If you’re like me, don’t forget about the rest of the in-season produce, including hearty greens, potatoes, carrots, leeks, broccoli, and cauliflower; not to mention apples and pears. You can find all of these and more at winter farmers markets and special harvest and holiday market days. Round out your shopping trip by selecting locally baked goods, meat, and artesian cheeses.
Check our your local farmers market to see what they offer this time of year (many have great websites making it easy to research vendors and products as well as find directions and hours). Here in Portland, the PSU market is still open on Saturday’s until mid-December and the Eastbank market has a Thanksgiving reunion market on November 24 just in time for us to grab fresh, local ingredients for turkey day. In Toronto, there are 4 winter markets and 4 year-round markets, providing shopping options over the holidays. Finally, in Vancouver, winter markets occur twice a month. As a bonus, if you need a gift for someone, Eat Local has gift certificates for purchase online! And the Holiday Market on December 12th. This is the 14th year and there will be hot food, a raffle, and musicians. If you have a great summer farmers market that is closed for the season and doesn’t offer a harvest/holiday market, then it doesn’t hurt to e-mail or call the organizers and let them know you’d attend if they offered one!
~ Posted by: Lisa
As the days in the Pacific Northwest get a bit greyer, a bit darker, and more than a little bit rainy one needs some kind of a pick me up. And while a doughnut or a cupcake always seems like a good option, I try to push those urges aside, and I succeed – most of the time… With so much more time spent inside at this time of year I start to think more about home decor and making our home as bright and cozy as possible. It’s nice to have a plant or two around the house, and I’ve been eyeing the work of Pigeon Toe Ceramics for a couple weeks now. Each one of their pieces is handmade in their Portland Oregon Studio by the talented Lisa Jones. Pottery is indeed a “slow art”, requiring a calm and methodical approach, I learned from Lisa’s website that each piece undergoes a 3 week journey, from lump of clay to fully finished piece of pottery.
