Local Means Seasonal
The first beautifully warm Sunday of the year and the crowd at market showed it. I was finally able to switch insulated coveralls for shorts for a day. And tonight there’s a Freeze Warning—not frost, but a freeze. It was nice while it lasted.
Everyone seemed cheerful to be out in the sunny weather except the lady who tromped up to my tent and demanded to know where the strawberry people were. “I came to market today specifically to get strawberries and there are none!” she brayed and stomped her foot like a petulant toddler.
“Sorry, I only sell cackle berries,” was my reply, only she did appreciate nor get the joke. She went on to tell me that the grocery stores all had strawberries, but she wanted local strawberries. So I took the time to explain to her how weather dictates growing seasons and the ripening of crops. Not stopping there, I listed the berry vendors from Virginia to Pennsylvania which means that the earliest berries will show up first at market and the northern farms will extend their presence at market much longer.
My final bit of information for her was to sign up for the market’s weekly e-Blast at the bottom of the home page of the market’s website which will tell you what vendors will be at the market and when certain products, such as strawberries, will be arriving.
Speaking of advice, as the main market season gears up so do the crowds. I heard complaints last week from patrons regarding parking. Compared to many of the other metropolitan markets, Central Farm Markets has the most parking closest to all their locations. Ok, so you don’t get a spot right up next to the markets, but there’s plenty of free public parking within a block or two of the market. If you’ve purchased more than you’re able to carry to your car, simply leave your goodies at the market information tent conveniently located next to the curb, retrieve your vehicle, and drive on in where market staff will gladly load for you just like our convenient curbside services (which are still available from vendors who continue to offer pre-ordering and CSA shares).
More vendors, more shoppers, entertainment—the market is getting busier than winter. People want to bring their children and pets. Like the highway, everyone wants traffic to flow. I get that neighboring vendors’ customers sometimes queue up in front of my stand and I’m cool with that, but when a gaggle of adults with kids, wagons, and dogs congregate in the middle of the isle, I’m going to be the first to kindly ask if they’ll take their social hour to the outskirts of the market so patrons are able to move about.
Mask mandates have been removed, but COVID cases in Montgomery County have been climbing again with the CDC listing the region as very high risk for unvaccinated and immunocompromised individuals. Please be respectful of those who continue to mask for themselves, their families, and others. They deserve access to the market as much as anyone. Simply be conscious of those around you as good weather draws in more shoppers.
The one big holdover from the pandemic continues to be asking patrons to remain outside the market area until the opening at 9 AM. This is for your safety. As a vendor, we know how to navigate into our spots, but when patrons aimlessly wander through the isles or loiter unaware in an open space, there’s a risk of getting run over. Unfortunately, it’s already happened. I know when those strawberries show up there’s going to be a few who will want to congregate nearby in order to secure a quart or two of the season’s first. Guess who’s going to tell you to wait over by the parking lot with everyone else. Be glad I don’t sell strawberries or I’d make you go to the back of the line for not following directions.