Going Natural: The Durham Farmer’s Market
Last weekend a couple of my friends and I decided to start our Saint Patrick’s Day off in a fashion that’s not quite typical of a college student –we decided to go check out the Durham Farmer’s Market. It was pretty busy, but technically it was still a “winter market” since the majority of fruit products aren’t in season yet. After arriving and exploring for a bit, I realized I would be unable to capture the essence of this market through observation alone. It’s so fluid that I thought it would be best to let the market tell its own story. I went and asked the vendors with the best looking goodies (lip balms and lotions, pastries, and jams) about their involvement with the market and taped them (with their explicit permission!) so you all could learn a bit more about the farmer’s market from their perspective. Everyone was so nice and eager to talk – it made me feel like more of a “regular” and gave me an excuse to buy something from each one of them!
We started off by talking with the makers of MoonDance Soaps. As you will see he was really pushing the soap samples. They smell like potpourri.
Next, we made our way over to Angels Nest Farms. The son of the owner, who was in charge of the pastries area, was so cruel as to open the glass door of the heated pastries section and waft the tantalizing chocolate scent in my direction. I had already had breakfast, because if I don’t eat before going somewhere my fun factor really decreases, but I decided it might be worth a second breakfast. After my first delicious bite, I knew it was.
Bonlee Grown Farms. I’m so glad my roommate invested in her banana butter. It has a baby food consistency to it that I’m strangely alright with.
Although I personally ate my big purchase (worth it), we ended up bringing home a few different jams, cakes, carrots, and yogurt among the six of us. We even explored the smaller “art market” afterwards – I felt pretty cultured.
Frankly, we could have done better in the green department.
Is it worth the potential parking difficulties? As you know, the stinkin’ Lincoln is not a fan of parking lots that don’t have rows upon rows of empty spaces which house the perfect pull-through, but there are actually enough areas to park around the market that this doesn’t pose a major issue. It was a great start to my morning and I hope to make it back out there as the weather warms up. (On second thought, since it’s already about 80 degrees, it would probably be fine if it didn’t get any warmer.) Maybe I’ll even buy something that’s actually more homegrown, since I’ve sadly never heard of a chocolate croissant farm.
I’ve been to the Durham Farmer’s Market a couple of times now (including this time with you!), but I have to say that I got a lot more out of your post than I did at the market. I’ve loved the things that I’ve bought at the market (get the mozarella string cheese!), but it was great to hear the stories of the people who work there, especially the ones who have been there since it re-started. It really gives you a better feel for what the market is all about.
The videos are terrific! I’ve shopped at all those stands and now feel I know the people who run them a little better. Thanks!