Today is a gorgeous Saturday in Amherst - about 75 degrees, sunny, a slow breeze. Just the perfect kind of fall Saturday to enjoy being here. After 3 years of perpetual Saturday morning soccer games, I finally had the freedom to go check out the Amherst Farmer's Market, which happens every Saturday from May 2nd through November 12th from 8:30AM to 1:30PM. For someone who connects the idea of a Farmer's Market to the Union Square Greenmarket, it was pretty small, but definitely great nonetheless. I got three packages of delicious looking strawberries, a 4 ounce container of chevre, really nice gooey runny fresh yogurt, a baguette, and some amazing pears that just smell incredible.
There's something to being at a farmer's market that you just don't get at the supermarket. You're essentially buying with your nose, following the scents to what your body deems the freshest, ripest produce. Is it just me or do fruits and vegetables in the supermarket seem too cold to smell, as if someone wanted to deprive them of their natural odors in order to keep them fresher for longer, robbing them of the idea of ripeness? Maybe I've just been reading a bit too much Michael Pollen recently, but I've been really inspired to eat only 'food' - and those of you who have read his book understand that, given today's standards, that's a mighty small definition.
Anyway, for those of you close to Amherst, come check out the farmer's market next Saturday (maybe I'll see you there!) and for those of you who aren't, PLEASE go check out a greenmarket near you - the supermarket won't ever seem the same!
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