Is there anything more exhilarating than visiting a farmers market to start off your day!
This may be a bit of an overstatement, but I do enjoy waking up and hitting the farmers market early in the day. I love the bright colors of the delicious produce, the aroma of the spices, and the enchantment of visiting a fresh produce market as if we were far from the hustle and bustle of city life.
My favorite farmers market to visit is Canino Produce, a family owned business operating in near downtown Houston since 1958. Canino Produce is a favorite spot for local chefs to purchase the freshest of produce. Behind Canino’s is a wealth of open air produce stalls selling their wares flea market style. Along with fresh produce, you can purchase nuts, beans, spices, herbs, plants, Mexican pottery, cooking utensils, and more. Visiting the open air part of the market feels a bit like stepping into little Mexico. It makes shopping feel like more of an event than an errand.
It’s a bit of a trek into the city from Cypress to visit this market, but it is so worth the journey! The produce that’s sold at the farmers market taste so much better than our local chain grocery store. It’s so much fresher and I quickly found that it stays fresher longer than our grocery store produce. Since most of the food is grown from local farms across Texas, not only are we getting fresher, better tasting produce, we are supporting local farmers, and cutting back on energy costs to ship food from all parts of the country!
There is word on the street there are changes to come. Some investors are planning on expanding the market bringing in more food services, fresh coffee vendors, a flower market, possibly cheeses…..I believe the idea is to make it something like the famous Pike Place Market in Seattle. I look forward to these changes with eager anticipation mixed with apprehension. Perhaps it’s time for a change. It will certainly bring more people to the market, along with more traffic, more tourist…. However, there is another part of me that feels like I will miss the quaintness of this market if these changes occur.
I had the opportunity to visit Pike Place Market a few years ago and it was fabulous! It was exciting to stroll through the many vendor sites, enjoy the tasty treats, and of course visit the amazing Pike Place Fish Market. The fishmongers throw the fish around that have been recently purchased and a crowd gathers quickly to see! It is definitely a place not to miss if visiting Seattle!
Where ever you live, if you are not in the habit of shopping your local farmers market I encourage you to try. Along with the obvious reasons of fresher produce, better taste and a greater variety, you’re supporting your local farmer who is struggling in today’s global economy.
Why buy produce from a chain grocery store that’s traveled an average of 1500 miles to get to your plate, when your local farmer has fresh produce that is fresher, better tasty and more nutritious. Not only is the food better for you, it’s fun to shop your local farmer’s market, visit with the vendors, and connect with your community.
Oh, and by the way, I visited Canino’s Produce last Thursday and I’m pleased to report it is doing well and thriving after the rains of Hurricane Harvey! Unfortunately, many in southeast Texas continue to struggle to get their lives back to normal after flooding and my heart is with them. Today, I’m also praying for the state of Florida as Irma is barreling down on that the beautiful sunshine state.
Thank you so much to all of you for your tremendously kind comments and prayers for Texas. I hope wherever you are today, you are safe and the sun is shining down on you. xxoo – Gerri
To Create Sunshine 