Shopping Dads

No, not shopping for Dad, but those intrepid souls who trek each week to the market to do the weekly shopping. Over the last twenty years I’ve seen a lot of trends at the markets, but the most noticeable one has been the number of men doing the household grocery shopping. Yes, I know how sexist that sounds, but I grew up in a generation where taking care of the house was women’s work. Sure, Dad would pick up local fruits and vegetables from local truck farmers parked along the road on his way home from work or glean something during one of his fishing and hunting trips among the orchards, but the weekly shopping and all the cooking was Mom’s domain.

The men at the markets trend started to really stand out about ten years ago. GQ and Men’s Health magazines began running recipes and touting the benefits of local, organic foods next to models with six-pack abs. The bachelors showed up first with their lists and insulated bags stocking up on assorted ground meats and produce that lent well to grilling. Men who cook are attractive prospects regardless of their physical attributes.

But as the years rolled by more and more men were doing the market shopping. It became Dads with their kids. In strollers, in backpacks, in sparkly tutus with shoes that lit up, on bike seats, and in wagons. “We’re giving Mommy a break this morning,” they’d say and to this day I’ve yet to spy her at the market as I imagine her enjoying a nice, peaceful yoga class or catching coffee with the girls.

As their children grow older, now engaged in music lessons and sports, and as moms act as chauffeurs dads are doing the shopping solo.  No, they are not allowed to order online and have it delivered by the big box grocery stores. They must make the weekly trek to the market and get their groceries from their farmers. This is another idiosyncrasy I’ve noticed with men who shop—they tend to be very possessive and loyal to their farmers.

My absolute favorites, though, are the Dads whose kids are grown, some with their own children, who beam when they bring their progeny and grandchildren to the market. Some do this on a regular basis while others occasionally, especially around the holidays.

But this week it will be sure to be Dads on Parade as fathers show up with their kids and grandkids beaming ear to ear with smiles that go far beyond the joy of their weekly goodies. They’ll make an extra effort to pass on warm Father’s Day greetings to those farmer dads who are spending the day away from their own children in order to provide food and beverages to their customers.

Or maybe moms will keep the kids at home so dads can have a nice peaceful morning shopping for their favorite goodies without having to field dripping popsicles, half eaten strawberries, and a missing shoe.