Within the past decade, a lot of things have changed. We abandoned our baby pink Razrs for overtly breakable, handheld computers. We said goodbye to Amanda Byne’s Judge Judy persona and an iffy hello to her Drake-confused, bat-shit crazy one. And somewhere along the unorthodox, slightly uncomfortable line that is the 2000s, we decided to gain consciousness about out health.
Terms like “All-Natural”, “BPA-Free” and “Organic” went from foreign and free-spirited to run of the mill and suddenly, we all found ourselves contemplating the ethics of shoving nuggets and puffs down our throats and dabbling our palates in super foods like kale and swiss chard.
Our country in general has become undoubtedly more conscious about what we’re ingesting within the past ten years and now more than ever, America is getting back to its agricultural backbone. And if human wellness is trendy, then consider the farmers market the crop top of sustainable sustenance.
Popping up in nearly every city across the nation, the reputation of the farmers market has recently gone from nearly nonexistent to widely renowned and the Union Street Farmers Market of downtown Gainesville is no exception. Every Wednesday between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Bo Diddley Plaza is transformed from grassy knoll to a produce-packed gallery of seasonal fruits and veggies, flavorful jams, and fresh, baked goods. With nearly sixty individual vendors selling everything from organically brewed coffee to persimmons and oyster mushrooms, Union Street Farmers Market surpasses the ranks of corporate names like Publix and Trader Joe’s in terms of options. You can try something unusual or stick to the basics and grab a few heads of broccoli, sweet potatoes, eggplant, or yellow squash, bust out the casserole and pie recipes, and make Paula Dean proud.
Via: buyinglocallyuf.wordpress.com
Not exactly an ace in the kitchen? No worries. You can still get your October on. If you’re a white girl, you’ve probably been sweating nothing but pumpkin puree since the return of Starbuck’s seasonal beverage. Put down your cardboard cup, slip on your prematurely-worn Uggs and head to Bo Diddley to pick up some Seminole pumpkins grown straight down the road in Hawthorne. And with all proceeds benefitting the local, Gainesville economy? Eat your heart out.
The farmers market offers an array of budget friendly, delicious provisions that are also free of pesticides, herbicides and all the other “-cides” that you probably shouldn’t be gargling.
Sustainability is so hot right now. Grab a group of friends, a wad or two of cash and spend your Wednesday evening the healthy way. Gainesville’s vendors and artisans are sure to help provide you with whatever natural edibles your eco-friendly little heart desires, making the market the best thing since (locally baked) sliced bread.
Photo courtesy of: BuyingLocallyUF
