As I sat down to write this I was recalling what I wrote last year at this time.
When I produced my October 2017 report the fires hadn’t yet happened, and our lovely world was still unscathed by that disaster.
My report was innocent: likely about the season, pumpkins, etc.
A week later our lives had been turned upside down. So many lost their homes, incomes, stability and for awhile, their sanity. Remarkably, a year later we seem pretty solid. Yes, homes are still being contemplated and not yet built. There will be repercussions for years to come, but unlike places like Haiti, Puerto Rico, and others like it, we are incredibly fortunate to have the resources we do and the support we need. We live in a bountiful area filled with great people, resiliency and vision.
That’s why the market does as well as it does. Our vendors love the folks who shop this market. Many of them comment to me about the joy they feel coming to do it.
What strikes our farmers is how appreciative our customers are of the work involved in farming and food production. And isn’t that what we all need; someone understanding the amount of hours, as well as mental and physical labor it takes to bring that pepper or head of lettuce to the table?
This is a powerful relationship: us with our food. By shopping the market you stay connected. You’re not consuming unknowns, produced by unseen people in other areas, states or countries. I’m all for globalization, and would like to see every country thrive, but it’s great when we’re able to support our local economy in this way.
By supporting our immediate neighbors in their business endeavors we support the county as a whole, and not only our full recovery, but preparedness for future disasters.
This month we have our delightful Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 27. It promises to be hilarious. Besides the traditional pumpkin carving, decorating and racing, we’re adding a costume competition for all ages. In fact, I’m hoping most vendors dress in costume, so this would be a market to attend.
In truth I hope you feel all markets are worth attending. If it’s raining, we’ll be there. If it’s baking hot, we’ll be there. Through the end of November, we’ll be there. You get the idea.
Come shop the market! Come hang out listening to beautiful music, munching on yummies and coloring at the tables. Come schmooze with friends and neighbors. There’s a Saturday morning joy here that exists nowhere else. I hope to see you at the market.
Janet Ciel is the manager of the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market. She can be reached at ma*****@he*********************.org.
