LocavOregon

The Vancouver Farmers Market is really hopping now. It is open both Saturday and Sunday. We started the Vancouver USA’s volksmarch from Esther Short Park next to the Farmer’s Market. I was fascinated by the clean-up already done from the carnage of the 4th of July celebrants. Volunteers groups and community service servers were out collecting any bit of trash. What a joy to live in a place that takes pride in having fun but leaving no trace! My walking cohorts were a bit behind schedule, so I took the opportunity to buy Rainier cherries and potatoes from an organic farmer from Pasco, Washington. He had a Russian accent and told how his family used to pick the cherries themselves, but found that one Mexican picker could do the job far more efficiently.

After the walk, I first bought a bowl of jambalaya from the Gumbo Goddess booth. I love their spicy jambalaya and it’s now always my first choice.

I browsed all of the booths before buying bright red Vann cherries and a bunch of beets. I was disappointed that none of the usual bread booths were there, as I wanted a loaf of bread for my party in the evening. I was about to exit when I noted the Hmong Farm booth. They also had lovely beets, at the great price of $1 each. I bought five bunches and decided we’d have beet greens with the pork loin at the party.

While I’d been disappointed with the variety of produce booths the past few weeks, I see now that it was just because there wasn’t much produce yet to sell!