Farmers’ Market Musings

Thanksgiving with Mielle
The last market of the year takes place after Thanksgiving, and there is always a heightened awareness of the giving that we have shared from May through November. Customers take a little extra time to stop by and say ‘Thank you” and we reply with a heartfelt, “You are welcome … and thank you!”
At our Zucchini and Pumpkin Fests, a tradition has continued with Community Foundation Sonoma County to reinforce the power of giving in our town. The way it works is that a CFSC representative, Stu Harrison, or Mary Hafner, or Taya Levine, has presented one of our Best of Show Contestants with a special prize:  A Gift Certificate of $100 which can be awarded to a non-profit.
At our recent Pumpkin Festival, Mielle Maclure was given the prize and told she could award it to a charitable organization of her choosing. We waited for her decision:
“Dear Ms. Kelley and Ms. Levine,
Sorry it took so long for me to decide on who to give the gift to. There are just so many good non-profits to choose from. But out of all those wonderful organizations, I finally decided on the Healdsburg Farmers Market because I just love all the fresh fruits and vegetables that the farmers bring to town for all of us, and especially the ‘Honey Lady’.
I also chose the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market because they host the best festivals and make them fun for children too.
Thank you for giving me this gift to give.
Mielle Maclure”    
“Hello Mielle,
Thank you so much for choosing the Farmers’ Market as the Nonprofit to receive your donation. On behalf of the entire Farmers’ Market community, we are honored by your choice. I am forwarding the good news to Taya, as well as our Community Rep, Katie, who helps organize the Pumpkin Festival.
I know you had a tough decision to make; there are so many well-deserving nonprofit organizations. Thank you for recognizing the importance of the Farmers’ Market.
I love what you wrote about fresh fruits and vegetables, the festivals, and the ‘Honey Lady.’ What a compliment to all the farmers, beekeepers, and others who create and maintain the Farmers’ Market. If people follow the example of you and your family, we will have more people discovering that fresh food (and raw honey) is the source of good health. So many children who come to the Zucchini and Pumpkin Festivals and the market, share your fondness of honey from Sandra Alvarez, the Honey Lady of Hector’s Honey.    
You probably know all about the benefits of local, raw, honey — that it boosts our immune system and is good medicine for our bodies. That is especially true if the honey comes from bees such as Sandra’s, because her bees collect pollen from local plants. Choosing local honey, rather than refined sugar (which actually lowers our immune system) is a big step toward good health. And the Farmers’ Market helps the local farmers, and beekeepers, have success in their business so they can continue to bring us the healthiest food.
I hope you will let me share the letter about your decision in the Farmers’ Market Tribune Column. Please let me know if that is ok with you.
Thank you so much,
Mary”
“Dear Mary,
Thanks for your nice reply and letting me know all of the benefits of local honey. Yes, of course, you can share as much of my letter as you like.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Farmers’ Market on Saturday.
Mielle
P.S. My name means ‘Honey’ in Italian.”
The Farmers’ Market is resting in dormancy while the farmers prepare for 2014. The Saturday Market will reopen on May 3, and the Wednesday Market will reopen on June 4. Mary Kelley, the Market Manager, can be reached at ma**@he*********************.org.