Who knows whether its the tough economic times we find ourselves in now, or a concern with the impact of climate change on our environment, or a rebellion against corporate-sameness that has robbed us of seasonal variety in our diet, or a genetic memory of how tomatoes should taste? Whatever the reason, I certainly have observed an astonishing growth in local farm markets. Not only have their numbers increased, but the variety of foods that can now be found continues to expand. The markets range from the small side-of-the-road markets that sell the produce of individual gardens and small farms to the weekly markets that now exist not only on the fringe of urban areas but in the downtown cores of most urban centers. In the Washington area one of the largest is the Sunday farm market in Dupont Circle which is surrounded by Embassies, restaurants, hotels and a very diverse urban population. Spiral out from this urban center and there are markets in every direction, including my favorites at Lake Anne in Reston, Virginia, and in Leesburg, Virginia. But Washington is not exceptional in its farm markets. San Francisco has one located in a stunning location with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Boulder, Colorado has a market that for sheer diversity of food and helpfulness of its sellers is hard to beat.
The last quality of helpfulness counts a lot for me as a photographer. After all, I am not buying a lot. Try carrying sacks of peaches, raspberries, corn and fresh bread along with a Nikon D3 and a 24-70 mm lens! Yet I have never once had a seller be less than fully helpful as I ask questions like "What is this?" "How do you grow it...harvest it...cook it"? "What does it taste like?" If you show a genuine interest, you find yourself learning more than you ever set out to and a lot more than simply capturing images.
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