This Is Life

This Is Life

by Cheryl Muñoz

The Sugar Beet Co-op

I sip wine and nibble apples and cheese tonight.  The dishes are clean and the children are asleep and I am preparing my shopping list for tomorrow’s farmers’ market.  I don’t want to be rushed, as I am most Saturday mornings, trying to juggle kids and birthday parties and meetings.  I want to start at one corner of the market (the North East corner, by Genesis) and take my time, walking slowly while taking in the beauty of each stall.  At any pace, I’ll take note of what is left of the tomatoes and listen for the market band.  I’ll slow down and appreciate the smell of freshly made donuts in the Autumn air.  Because this Saturday is the last day of the farmers’ market season. And I’ll need these sense memories to last me.

Our friends will all meet in the grass to the East of the market.  The kids will be covered in powdered sugar and crunching on apples and climbing trees.  The parents will be talking about politics and babies and plans to get together soon.  I’ll make sure my children are under someone’s watch, grab my market bags, and slip away to do my shopping.

I’ll head over to Skibbe Farms to see about tomatoes and cider.  Since the first market, I have been buying boxes of tomatoes for canning and always pick up a gallon of frozen cider for my kids.  If the kind, shy woman behind the stand has enough tomatoes to fill a ½ bushel box, she’ll take my money and ask one of her boys to carry the box to my bike for me.  I look forward to the awkward, teen boy conversation on the way over.  We’ll talk about the weather, school, or I’ll ask how they came to work at a farmers’ market.  “Summer job.  My friends are doing it, too,” they’ll answer before packing my bike trailer and nervously accepting my tip.

Next, I head over to visit Kenny.  He and his team at Stover’s Farm have been wearing our Sugar Beet t-shirts all summer long.  Not only has Stover Farms supported us this summer with crates of apples for The Edible Garden Tour and peaches for the Benefit Gala at Fitzgerald’s, Kenny has made me feel like the work we are doing is important.  And coming from a man that works harder than anyone I have ever met, that means a lot.  So, after Kenny and I talk about his new baby and the Girl Scouts that came to visit him at the market last week (to earn their Sugar Beet Snack Badge), we’ll get down to business.  Cauliflower, apples and brussels sprouts and dried cherries are on the list.  “I’ll take a crate of apples, Kenny”.  I love saying that.  

I’ll pick up the pace and get some cheese from Joe at Brunkow, some bread at Red Hen and pre-pay for some bok choi plants at Ted’s.  I’ll drop all the heavy bags, check on the kids, and eat a donut before I turn back to finish my shopping.

I’ll head over to see Brad at Barry’s Berries.  I just started shopping with him, too, recently when I noticed he had late Roma tomatoes.  I’ll buy what tomatoes he has, grab some eggplants and peppers and say goodbye for the season.  

I’ll stop by The Tree of Life Farm stand which always has unique varieties of greens and I’ll admit I’m addicted to their pea shoots.  I also like the refreshingly (I’m going to say it) hippie vibe.  It comforts me to know that there is a new wave of farmers, and here they are talking with me about food for my table.  All smiles and hugs, we’ll say, “See you in the Spring.”

With my bag of greens under my arm, I’ll stop by to see Kevin and Shary at Dennanne Honey.  I use a lot of honey and because it’s just about the one thing that NEVER goes bad I’ll buy 6 months worth on Saturday...which I calculate to be 2 gallons.  I hope they have a big block of beeswax, too.  My husband makes mustache wax and I hope to make my own lip balm for holiday gifts.  As Shary and Kevin pack up my purchases, they will undoubtedly share their honey bee fact of the week.  I love them and their love for all things “bee”.  Sweet.

As I make my way over to the Genesis stand, I’ll check out the onions, pumpkins, squash and shallots.  These are all on my list and Genesis has the best.  I was a CSA subscriber with Genesis and learned a lot about their farm and the hard work they put into earning their Organic status.  Their farmstand man with a plan, Carl, will see me coming and, in turn, come out from behind the table for a hug.  He’s an incredible salesman and his energy and love for his work is infectious.  I’ll start piling up my purchases and he’ll weigh them and tease me about eating too much.  I’ll tease back and say good bye to the Genesis staff for the winter.

After dropping off my bags and checking on the kids, I’ll scurry over to Nichols Farm.  I am always overwhelmed by the selection and I’ll need to “make some piles” by the scales with the friendly gentleman who works the stand.  Maybe I’ll get the kids some cute gourds to decorate the table?  I hope they’ll have more bulk popping corn and beans.  If so, I’ll load up for the winter like a squirrel.  I’ll add some potatoes and beets to my pile by the scale, pay my bill and say good bye, for now.

I didn’t know cranberries grew in our region until I saw them for myself at Ellis Family Farms, last weekend.  I am buying 6 more pints for the freezer.  They will be delicious in muffins all winter long and will make for a very special Thanksgiving side dish.  

I’ll end my shopping spree at Wettstein’s.  I have heard that they’ll be in town this winter, once a month, selling their organic and sustainably-raised meats behind Buzz Cafe.  I’ll pick up a chicken and some chorizo and maybe some beef for stew.  They are sweet and peaceful people and it comforts me that they care for the livestock that feeds my family.  

I know that, in between shopping, corralling kids and eating donuts, I’ll run into friends and neighbors.  We’ll hug over our bundles of veggies and chat.  We’ll connect.  This market is so much more than a grocery store.  It’s a celebration of food, community, nature, seasonality, independance, local economy, art, love, and ultimately, life. I can’t imagine a life without this marketplace.  This is life.