Food wise… this past week was pretty boring around here. Pasta, fried rice, pizza, waffles, homemade soup for dinner, I think I made something with chicken… you know, the usual stuff. I stocked my pantry really well last week so there wasn’t really any reason for me to set foot in a grocery store. In fact, I was planning on doing a “no spend” week… but then The Girl and I decided to take a trip out to Bainbridge Island.
Our first stop was to the Bainbridge Island Farmer’s Market. And I’m a little embarrassed to admit this, but it was also my first trip a farmers market this season. Oops. Oh well, better late than never, right?
I was hoping to find some heirloom tomato plants for the garden, but I didn’t see anyone with the varieties I was after {Cherokee, Black Krim, Pineapple, Japanese Trifle, Sun Gold}.
But we did find some homemade bread. Which, is pretty much my favorite thing to buy at a farmers market. It’s funny, never in a million years would I lay down $8 for a loaf of bread at a grocery store, and I probably wouldn’t even pay that much for a loaf at a bakery, but at a farmers market? Heck ya. There’s just something about buying bread from someone who made it themselves.
The loaf of Kalamata olive and rosemary bread we bought was divine toasted.
Another thing I’m always on the hunt for is beeswax candles. I didn’t buy any this time around but we did find a nice display of them.
Although the pickings were slim in the tomato department there were plenty of cold weather crops available.
I like radishes as much as the next guy but… $5?
Save those olive oil tins!!! This is such a cute idea.
And this coffee stand!!! Very clever.
Another super cool thing we spotted were these iron fire pits. Prices ranged from $250-$400 but man were they cool. Totally something that you’d keep forever.
Bainbridge Island Farmers market…. If you’re ever in the area, go check it out!
There’s something for everyone!
Anyone else go to a farmer’s market this weekend? Find anything cool?
I’d love to hear about it,
~Mavis
- Total Spent This Week $8 Groceries, Take Out/Date Nights/Bakeries $24.50
- Total Spent in January on Groceries $202.99
- Total Spent in February on Groceries $143.94
- Total Spent in March on Groceries $183.35
- Total Spent in April on Groceries $205.67
- Total Spent on Groceries in May $138.64
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- Total Spent in January on Take Out, Date Nights, and Bakery Treats $42.19
- Total Spent in February on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $118.45
- Total Spent in March on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $25.29
- Total Spent in April on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $62.50
- Total Spent in May of Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $54.52
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Brianna says
Why are prices at Farmer’s Market getting so expensive? I use to go with $20 and buy a weeks worth of produce, now I can’t get much anymore. The one near me doubles SNAP benefits and I figured that is why the prices have gotten so ridiculous. At the end of our market, most vendors still have full tables. I’ve lived in 7 different states in the last 15 years, but it seems the trend of skyrocketing market prices is nationwide.
Kristina says
Farmers markets are getting pretty popular, so I’d guess that maybe more small farmers who had “day jobs” are choosing to make their living solely by farming. When you turn something you do in your off hours to something that is your full time job, you take a different view of the value of your time spent in the endeavor. I’m really impressed by these truck farmers who can make a go of it on 10 or 20 acres (or less!). It’s not easy.
Linda says
Most Farmer’s Markets in my area are just opening. I hope to go to one this month. I love buying straight from the producer.
Lunch Lady says
Our Farmer’s Market in Hillsboro is only on week 2 but I’m like you about the bread. I bought Rosemary dinner rolls $6.50 and a blackberry scone $2.50 from the person that made them. I would NEVER pay that anywhere else except at the market. There were beautiful plants and other wonderful things to eat. My boyfriend bought a small bunch of asparagus for $4.00 I’m sure it was not even a pound but boy, was it delicious! Prices are high but the quality can’t be beat.
Laura Z says
In our area there is a vast difference between certified organic and not. A lot of our vendors aren’t certified because the process is so expensive ($25,000 or something) but they don’t spray pesticides. I tend to frequent their stalls.
I can get radishes for about $2/bunch, chard and beets for less than $3, and the things that everyone eats here (collard greens, turnip greens, onions, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and corn, etc.) seem competitive to the grocery store. Knowing your vendors helps a lot. Those places for whom I am a regular customer always throw a little in my basket for free, especially as the market is about to close.
Sandi says
I’m like you. As long as no pesticides are used I will buy from that farmer. Friends of mine who are farmers were approached about turning their farm “organic”. She took a look at the list of products they were allowed to use under organic guidelines and said she wouldn’t contaminate her soil with the stuff. Needless to say, they never have a problem selling off all their produce!
Laura Z says
What a wonderful ministry! Do you all know about the Society of Saint Andrew? It’s an ecumenical group comprised of a core of volunteers who go into the fields of local farmers and gather extra veggies and fruits that are left behind after the harvest. They then donate that produce (in the tons and tons nationwide) to senior centers, soup kitchens, and food pantries. It’s a wonderful organization with whom to volunteer if you have time. They need hands in the fields!
Kathy Gardner says
Where I live, there is a big church that has a huge garden. They pick the produce and take it every Saturday morning to a local barber shop and it is given away to anyone who wants it. If you have an overage of any produce, you can take it and donate it for anyone who wants it. It is for everyone and it is such a wonderful, giving thing they are doing. They will have big hampers of beans, peas, corn, tomatoes, whatever is ready to pick in the garden. Daddy and I ran into the man who goes to the church and owns the barbershop and he said the first pickings will be the last Saturday of this month. You don’t just go and get free vegetables and fruit. You talk and get to know everyone, maybe have a cup of coffee.
There is also another more traditional farmers market not too far in the middle of a really upscale retail shopping area. The location is really unique. There are cobblestone roads and you can park and walk around to all the shops and visit the vendors in the outdoor farmers market.
Rebecca in MD says
Our local farmstand and the farmer’s market are also expensive. The quality and variety is excellent, but the prices are too high for me to be able to buy from them every week. I found an Amish farmstand near my place of work (in another county), and the prices are much more reasonable. The quality is also excellent. Last year I got a half-bushel of green beans for $10 and paid the same price for a half bushel of beets. I feel bad not supporting my local growers more, but when you’re on a budget you have use your money wisely?