The best writers say, when in doubt, write about what you know. So, as your local RDF farmers market guy, allow me to paint you a picture of what our PT Saturday market is looking like nowadays.

The seasonal transition has, from what I can tell, impacted just about every area of our functioning by this time. The waning daylight hours affect our daily routines, the weather changes have altered our spare time activities, and, as local produce consumers like yourselves are well aware, the availability and variety of farm goods is no exception.

If you’ve visited us at the Saturday market, you’ve noticed that we have recently downsized from a grandiose, overflowing three booth spaces to a respectable, compact two (which is still the largest farm display available, I might add). The carrots are now available in abundant bulk-style bins rather than bunched and adorned with their formerly luscious green tops. A menagerie of squash and pints of brussels sprouts have replaced tulips and strawberries. An eye-catching display of speckled and striped radicchios is being given more table real estate than ever before. The tourists are few and far between and the vendors have dwindled to the hardy and willing, undeterred by the wind chill of the brisk Uptown mornings.

One thing that remains unchanged, however, is the remarks made by customers, who are continuously appreciative and impressed by the quality and selection of what we do still have available. We’ve got your soup staples, salad fixings, rainbow of roasted veg, etc. etc. etc. These comments, often given by backyard gardeners whose kales have long since hibernated, provide much needed flattery and motivation for market staff who find ourselves on hour six of numb fingers and damp shoulders. The reason we keep showing up is because our community keeps showing up. And, if you ask me, the market experience is still very much uniquely delightful, engaging, and rewarding.

Don’t be fooled by the rain and chill, it’s far from too late to stock up on the local produce you’ll be yearning for come late January, and I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what we are still bringing to the table, yours and ours.

Hope to see you there on of before the last farmers market of the season on December 20th.

~Karyn L