By Kristen Moore
First day of Waterloo Rotary Farmer’s Market was certainly memorable. Meeting vendors and staff was fun!
In Costa Rica, I won an award for “Best Note-Taker in the Jungle” but somehow I failed to record the name of the young artist selling earrings. She has a remarkable style!
Before farmers’ tales, please let me explain my own background and interest in healthy local foods and communities. A self-designed major at Green Mountain College in Adventure Education and Media Arts prepared me to launch my website and begin designing and leading programs. Now, as Moore Dirty Boots, LLC, in addition to yoga hikes, guided paddles and interdisciplinary events; I’m initiating my own series of sustainable initiatives and created my own sustainability guide!
Though my goals are green, my kitchen habits have tremendous room for improvement. My advice and instructions in this realm are elementary, which I hope encourages others to be humble and to try and learn along with me.
Grace sold me baby yellow squash and raspberries from Cassim Farms on Yellow Tavern Rd. Grace said Cassim Farms has been operating 40 years!
Bridget and Sydney from “The Tyre Produce Stand” had rhubarb, lettuces, cherries and feverfew. (I first heard of the flower feverfew in an amazing book, Your Brain On Plants by Nicolette Perry, PhD and Elaine Perry, PhD.)
The Tyre Produce Stand is on Black Brook Rd., opening Friday, I believe. Find these farmers on Facebook and Instagram for their latest news.
Lynn Anderson showed characteristics of a successful market veteran. Colorful bouquets and healthy starts invited market patrons to visit. Bouquets in an array of prices adorned one table, while a third hosted house plants. Hanging baskets of cherry tomatoes and maple syrup were just some of her offerings. As I purchased many plants, Lynn advised me on their care, including sun preferences. I’m eager to get outside and rediscover my market purchases! Lynn had tomato and eggplants with fairytale names! I brought home, Juliet, a tomato plant but resisted the temptation of eggplants named Hansel and Gretl. Aren’t those names amazing?!
Strawberry shortcake ingredients were ready in my cooler. A jar of cream was going to quickly shaken into whipped cream for a fun demonstration but I was talking and shopping instead. Strawberry shortcake with biscuits from a bakery is such a treat! Local foods may matter more to some if they knew how flavorful and aromatic they can be. Basil butter on an english muffin became exciting and vivid.
“Lean Years, Happy Years” by Angelo M. Pellegrini is a favorite guide for planning food needs. Knowing what ingredients can transform dishes and what foods you adore, can help one choose what to plant or purchase. For a beginner like me, going to farmers can be an excellent way to secure quality food. Reducing the transportation of food is key to reducing carbon emissions.
Fresh asparagus called me, just like the raspberries and yellow squash from Cassim Farms. The raspberries-were perfect. Better than I have had in years. Tips for the asparagus next post!
Adventures in the Finger Lakes 
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