waiting for asparagus 37ket, was short on cheer under the circumstances but did have green on-
ions. We’d run out of our storage onions from last year’s garden, and
missed them. At least half our family’s favorite dishes begin with a drizzle
of oil in the skillet, a handful of chopped onions and garlic tossed in. We
bought six fat bundles of Charlie’s onions. This early in the season their
white bulbs were only the size of my thumb, but when chopped with their
green tops they would make spicy soups and salads.
From Mike and Paul, at the next two booths, we bought turkey sau-
sage and lamb. At the next, the piles of baby lettuce looked to me like
money in the bank, and I bagged them. Fruitless though our lives might
be, we would have great salads this week, with chunks of sausage, hard-
How to Find a Farmer
Whether you’re a rural or urban consumer, it’s easier than ever to find local or
regionally grown food. Following the passage of the Farmer- to-Consumer Di-
rect Marketing Act of 1976, active U.S. farmers’ markets have grown from about
350 to well over 3,500 today, or an average of 75 per state. Most urban areas
host farmers’ markets from spring until fall; some are open all year. Market rules
usually guarantee that the products are fresh and local.
Farmers’ markets are also a good place to ask about direct sales from farmer
to consumer. Options include roadside stands, U-pick operations, artisanal prod-
ucts, buyers’ clubs, and community- supported agriculture (CSA). In a typical
CSA, subscribers pay a producer in early spring and then receive a weekly share
of the produce all season long.
Don’t be afraid to ask producers what else they might have available. Some-
one selling eggs on Saturday morning probably has eggs the rest of the week.
Farmers can also tell you which local stores may sell their eggs, meat, or pro-
duce. Many grocery and health- food stores now stock local foods, as more con-
sumers ask. Locally owned stores are better bets, since chains rely on regional
distribution. And don’t overlook small ethnic or specialty grocers.
You can find your nearest farmers’ markets and local producers on the
USDA Web site: http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets. Also check: http://www.local
harvest.org and http://www.csacenter.org.STEVEN L. HOPP