I was a huge slacker this year and bagged out on the opening day of the 6th Ave. Farmer’s Market.  I spent the evening with family instead.  Ok, they bought me dinner at one of my favorite restaurants and my husband was out of town that day so I wasn’t going to pass up a meal I didn’t have to cook.  There, now you know.

I more than made up for it this week.  In the spirit of “shake the hand that feeds you” we had a fantastic family evening at the market.

I went with a shopping list in mind.  I’m trying to pinch every penny and those few that I do give out I’d like to go to my local farmers.  I had grand plans of buying a chicken from Cheryl the Pig Lady and that is usually where a good amount of my market money goes when I do buy meat.  I was disappointed that she wasn’t there.  However, it did free up that portion of my cash on hand to purchase other delights.  It’s a good thing too.

To our surprise Mark Gaimster, the proprietor of Il Fiasco, had set up shop in the newly revised food court area.  A huge improvement over last year’s set up.  Mark and Kristi are members of our church and some of the nicest people in the world.  It’s just an added bonus that they have a great restaurant.  Mark has devised a clever little plan to bring the market together.  Each week he and the kitchen at Il Fiasco phone up the farmers who will be selling that week.  They find out what will be available and create a dish specifically for that market on that day (they’ll be doing this for the downtown market also).  Then they type up the recipe, put it on a card and then on the back of the card list where you can purchase each item on the list.  Everything is available at the market.  So there is no excuse not to eat at least one locally grown meal each week.

This is also a great way for you to get to know your local farmers.  Simply go around to the booths and ask for what is on the card.  You would be amazed at how easy it is to strike up a conversation with people with a little piece of paper.  I also purchased items that I wouldn’t normally buy.

In our travels from booth to booth we had the pleasure of meeting a young couple and their son.  They are a new vendor this year and are eager to make sure you get your green fix each and every week.  I will have to say that normally I’m a very shy person when it comes to meeting strangers.  I like to do my business and get on my way.  Somehow Aaron, Andrea and Drew, of Vittles de Vine, made me feel very comfortable so we struck up a conversation.  It all started with a mention of one of my readers.  Amazing how pizza dough can be a great equalizer… or maybe it’s beer.  Either way I wish I had purchased something from them.  Unfortunately, they were out of the two things that we needed.  There is always next week.

My overall view of the market was great.  I missed a few things that were available last year.  Cheryl for one.  Rolf the smoked salmon guy wasn’t there, but this was just an off week for him.  I also was hoping for Estrella cheeses.  6th Ave. is a great place for produce.  It was last year and it looks as if it will be again this year.  Since not everything is in one place I can still take my trips to the downtown market.  This way I spread the wealth.  I’ll post the recipe I got from Il Fiasco after I make it.  I tasted it there, but things always seem to taste a little different at home.