Fresh Produce
03.21.2010 Last week, my boss told me he had been in my area, having gone to Canino's Produce Co. Farmer's Market, and that he had walked away with two large grocery bags of fruits and vegetables for only $15.00. WHAT? Shoot, we probably spend that on: a container of strawberries, another of blueberries, a cantalope, three bananas, and two apples. And that's just the fruit.
Because our household consumes a lot of fruits and vegetables, and since we have been looking for ways to cut household expenses, I decided I'd have to try it for myself. So on Saturday morning, I ventured over with my produce bags and OH MY GOD IT WAS AN EXPERIENCE, nothing like the smaller but lovely Urban Harvest Farmer's Market I've frequented before.
Canino's itself was great. But what moved me and drew me in was the gem behind the store itself: a hundred or more yard of 10x10 table plots - each run by separate families - brimming with baskets of gorgeous peppers and fresh spices and herbs, dried beans and other legumes, cabbage, carrots, the most gorgeous red onions, luscious pineapples, cucumbers, and squash, and too many items to remember, and a whole lot more I couldn't identify or pronounce, which right there tells you how authentic a farmers market it really is.
Doesn't it all just look divine? I was so shocked by the prices (each basket was either $1-2) that I didn't know where to begin. And was equally paralyzed by the feeling that I needed to buy from more than one vendor.
Unexpectedly, it was a spiritual experience for me, stepping into a simpler world in another time. The matriarchs and patriarchs towards the back of the tables bagging the goods you want, the younger bilingual family members answering questions and taking your requests. As I walked through the market, I picked up on the sound of music and when I turned a corner, there was an elderly man on a stool with an old amp singing and playing his guitar. I was sure to put a generous tip into his jar and he gave me a wink. Everything about him reminded me of my grandfather.
Fifteen dollars and thirty pounds of goods later, I left with all the fresh items I will need for some of the cooking/freezing I will do this week: homemade chicken stock, vegetable soup, meatloaf, and various fruit salads. I honestly don't think I'll ever buy produce at a grocery store again. My only regret is that it took me nearly nine years of living in Houston to discover this gem located only five miles from my home.
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All photos were taken and in-phone editing was done using my iPhone and the Tilt Shift Generator app.
Reader Comments (5)
I have to say I had an extreme case of jealously l when I saw all of those pictures. We live in the northeast, so the availability of fresh produce at farmers markets is limited to May-Sept. We have bought a share at a local organic farm this year and I am hoping to grow a few tomato's and some fresh herbs this summer. Happy that you landed this gem!!
Oh so jealous!! Very, very, very jealous!!
I CAN. NOT. wait to get back to Houston to enjoy this gem. We are moving back from Canada on Thursday. Thanks for the reminder, I have been before but years ago.
I feel like such a dork for never mentioning this myself. I totally thought you guys went already.
I'll have to find a place like this in New Orleans. I know they have them somewhere...
Your pictures are beautiful as usual!