One of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday morning in the summer is meandering through farmers markets. I love watching the people who sell produce that they have grown and taken care of with their own two hands. Seeing the proud look on their faces as they present their offerings to passersby gives me a sense of peace. It is clear that they have put all that they are into something some would carelessly toss into their grocery cart at the store.
From what I have seen, at the farmers market, this is not the case. Those who shop at the farmers market take just as much pride and joy in the food as those who grew or made it.
When Brad and I went to San Francisco, we were lucky enough to be there on a Saturday. This meant we could attend the farmers market at the Ferry Building. Heaven!
The bright colored poppies…
Perfectly stacked onions…
Deep green and bright red Swiss chard…
Every table we passed had its own special presentation and showed a love for food that gets lost in the convenience of fast food and microwave meals.
On this particular day, with the warm sun soaking into my back, I gazed at many foods I have longed for while living in Japan. After making a pass through the entire market, I knew exactly what we should have for lunch. Something simple and representative of the freshness and uncomplicated appeal of natural food.
We stopped to buy some Meyer lemon and rosemary bread…
Then for some goat cheese that was made only the day before…
Then for the creme de la creme: an heirloom tomato.
And so, while listening to a folk band playing just behind us, we took our fresh finds and put together sandwiches with torn pieces of bread, juicy, red tomatoes and light, tangy goat cheese. Paired with some refreshing iced tea, this was the perfect meal to enjoy while sitting on a bench overlooking the bay.
It was a Saturday that reminded why I love farmers markets the way I do.
