Farmers and Friends

Hey Folks,

Summer has made its presence known here in the Salt Lake Valley and with that comes fresh farm produce.   Bring on opening day for the Salt Lake Farmers Market and I have to say they put on quite a market.  Starting this Saturday (and Tuesdays later on) until Old Man Winter starts knocking on the door, a couple hundred vendors gather at Pioneer Park in downtown Salt Lake to peddle their wares.

Margo and I, as well as our good friends Don and Sandi, boarded the TRAX train from right in front of the KOA and within 10 minutes we were at our stop downtown just a few blocks from the market.  Don works for the company, as I do, living full time in their motorhome.  It’s not an Airstream but we don’t hold that against them.  We’ve actually had the pleasure of their company since Virginia.  Another perk of the job – meeting and working with people that become lasting friends.  

 

Don and Sandi - co-workers, neighbors, friends

Everything you can think of was for sale but done right.  I’ve been to farmers markets that are more like flea markets but not this one.  Strictly community driven and only that which was in season was sold.  No tomatoes ripened with chemicals while in transit from down south.  No melons or corn.  A true farmers market only sells what is locally available.  Want a good cantaloupe, it’ll be here in time.  

Some of the local entertainment

This duo - strummer and beat box player -  had more money in their tips box than any of the other musicians.  

The four of us though did manage to fill Don and Sandi’s collapsible red wagon with tomato plants, local honey, fresh herbs, kettle corn, urban farm fresh eggs, and boiled peanuts with sweet tea.  Yes -  we found a guy that knows the South’s gunna rise again and he’ll be there manning his booth with the peanuts and authentic sweet tea.  Our friends, who are from California of all places, didn’t feel the love for the warm wet legume.  We didn’t hold that against them either. 

Once a dog photographer.......

The local sheriff has a program called "Sewing Seeds for a New Future", a horticultural program at the county jail.  It empowers inmates by giving them job skills in agriculture.  Margo spent some time talking to them and purchased some tasty microgreens. 

Talking to the inmates

One taste of Pioneer Valley Strawberry Rhubarb jam made the sale for Margo

Some local characters...

...ditto

The haul for the day

Tomorrow (Sunday) we hook up and head down to Price, UT – about 130 miles to the southeast of SLC.  I’ll be surveying there for the week then it’s back here to the KOA.  We’ll take some pics of our new digs at the nearby state park and report back when we can. 

Till then thank a farmer and buy local.