After reading Sue’s posts about her Farmer’s Market experience and after reading some wonderful articles in our paper locally I decided to start patronizing our farmers market on a weekly basis. We have a very small farmers market but it in no ways takes from the ambience or atmosphere which is right along a river. I bring my puppy River and we wander the stalls sometimes one of my children or my husband come along with me. I have been for about the last six weeks consistently and here is what I have noticed. I am starting to see some of the same people so its more than just a frugal experience its a social experience. Also I now know the man who sells my eggs to me and I realized I did not know what a fresh egg tasted like and they are unbelievable it is worth the extra 40 or 50 cents per carton. I tend to cherish each egg more now, it used to be if an egg broke in the fridge it was no big deal but now these are my precious fresh eggs and he uses very nice cartons and when you return your eggs if you return the carton you get 25 cents back. The farmers market is good for the environment to I don’t ever have them bag anything up unless it is going to be messy I just use my reusable cloth grocery bag and tuck it in. I also see people walking with rolling coolers which is great if you are buying a lot of stuff. My son who is ten loves to come with me sometimes while I am shopping, him and the puppy run along the river and he laughs as the puppy tries to get to the pigeons. The last time I went I discovered I love roasted chestnuts I had never had them before I really didn’t know it is something about the mood that makes me more willing to try something new. I am writing this because I know sometimes food can cost more at a farmers market but most of the produces I buy and the items I buy are always cheaper than the grocery store with the exception of the eggs. This is a way I can give back to my local economy but I get so much more back, I did not realize how much I would enjoy knowing who is growing my food but I really enjoy it and you might too!