Farmer's Markets

Want super fresh produce?

You could start a garden in your back yard: till the soil, put down fertilizer, plant the seeds, water everyday – weed every other, try to keep the local varmints out, turn the squash, support the tomatoes…surely we all have the time for that.

We’ve managed a few tomato plants over a few seasons. Four or five tomatoes was hardly worth the effort. Granted, we didn’t tend to them as needed, and they weren’t getting quite enough sun or water - or weeding. This season we’re trying banana peppers, on the deck in a pot. Surely we have the time for one pepper plant!
If you’re exhausted just thinking about the work it takes to grow fresh produce, do what we did – check out your local farmer’s market.

We went to the farmer’s market in Osterville on the Historical Museum grounds. It’s there every Friday and Saturday, 8am-12pm throughout the summer. Although a little smaller than some we’ve seen, there was still plenty to choose from.

These markets are not limited to just produce either. You will find local bread makers, jams and jellies, hand-made soaps and lotions, plants, a local lobster pound and a famous local fish smoker. All quality – all fresh.

All the folks manning their tables were super friendly, and will chat you up whether you buy anything or not. They are all very passionate and informative about their products, and often have samples for you to try. We tried some fresh snap peas right out of the pod and promptly bought 2 pounds. Steamed with a little salt and butter, they were better than any canned or frozen peas you can find.

There are several advantages to buying local products: We support the Cape’s economy, we help the environment by not shipping so much from thousands of miles away, we get fresh, high-quality products, and we meet some of our neighbors we may not have otherwise met.

We'd love to hear about your farmer's market finds! Here is a link to a website that lists the local Cape Cod farmer's markets: http://www.farmfresh.org/food/farmersmarkets.php?zip=02601