Catch That Fall Harvest While You Can!

Fall harvest by Jontidmarsh

The wind bears a crisp chill and the leaves are falling steadily as the trees lay back and relax into their winter dormancy. Fall has officially arrived and the earth is closing up shop… but not before offering that final fall harvest to get us through the winter months. Perhaps you do not garden but chances are good that someone around you most certainly does.

Even in the busiest of cities, the farmers come out of the wood works to sell their delicious, home-grown produce. Nothing compares to biting into that farm-raised, hand-picked cherry tomato… unless it’s an ear of organic corn, of course. The farmer’s market has it all and now is the time to buy what those farmers are selling. Squash, corn, gourds, beets, cabbage and carrots are just a few of the vegetables on the menu. And don’t forget the poster child of all fall crops: the pumpkin.

Many farmer’s markets tend to be thought of as a summer shopping experience only, a place to get a big, fat watermelon for your July 4th picnic. But the work doesn’t end with summer for America’s farmers and neither do their markets. Vice-versa, you’ll be hungry year-round, so why should you settle for grocery produce (even if it is organic) when you can still have that small farm taste?

Buying from farmer’s markets and especially from farmers who made the organic promise, ensures you will be buying locally and getting a quality product. By buying from your fellow farmers, you are also preserving a way of life that is ever-threatening to come to an end. It is no surprise that the days of Ma and Pa businesses are hitting the dust, thanks to global trade and corporate practices, but you do not have to contribute to this end when the most important commodity, food, seemingly goes out of season.

Finding a farmer’s market in fall and even into winter can get difficult. Most of the markets simply shut down as fall arrives. However, almost every town, city and metropolis hosts a fall festival. Gather up your friends and your canvas bags and hit that festival hard. Not only will you be able to buy your own fall harvest, you can meet the farmers that grew the produce. Introduce yourself and let them know you want to continue buying from them for as long as they are selling. Most farmers are happy to continue providing you with produce even after the market closes and the festival ends as long as they have surplus. Get to know three or four farmers, each with a different specialty so you can keep up with the best of your favorite produce items.  Don’t forget to think seasonally! You won’t find watermelons in October. Learn which fruits and vegetables are easily preserved by canning or freezing. Some farmers are willing to sell preserved foods during winter. To save yourself some money, learn to preserve the harvest yourself.

Even throughout the winter months you can think seasonally if you are ever forced to venture into the grocery store’s produce section. Research what foods are seasonal and can be grown near your area. Don’t buy an avocado or peach in the middle of winter. If they made it to the store during that time, they most likely had to travel a long way to get there (unless, of course, you live in Southern California).

Seek out and support the small, organic farmer! After all, they work hard to feed kind-hearted people like you.

– Lisa Kilian