Durham Farmers' Market is Where the Heart Is

Forgive me for the cheesy title... my Big Kid is at her first week-long sleepaway camp and her absence has left me a little sentimental. Anyway, it's no secret that I love Durham. I confess, I'm a transplant, married a born-and-raised Durhamite.

The year we bought our house here was the year Melynda Naples started up and ran the first Durham Farmers' Market. On my first visit, I was hooked. The vendors were friendly, they answered all my questions about how they grew and made their food, and time, which always seemed to be racing ahead with me lagging behind, stood still.

Fast forward five or so years, and the Durham Farmers' Market has become a staple in our community. The tents on the Town Green signal spring, new starts, fresh food, and friendly faces. Never have I met a group more committed to their craft; day in and day out, growing, harvesting, producing, gleaning. I am always humbled by their energy and their do-unto-others approach.

When a fellow vendor needs help with an unruly tent, another is right there to lend a hand. Children, clutching their dollar bills with eyes wide, gazing at the spread of berries and treats before them, are treated with kindness, patience and respect.

People look after folks' family members, their kids, their work. They celebrate their successes, and empathize with their challenges. There's a photo essay circulating online called something like, 'Pictures that Will Restore Your Faith in Humanity.' I have an even better offer - you can have an up-close-in-person experience with the same theme by coming on down to the Town Green Thursday between 3 and 6:30 pm.

If you're looking for good people, good food, and good community heart, you'll find it all here.

This Thursday, we welcome back Tuttle Ridge Farm of Durham. Bruno will be selling lettuce, peas, beans, beets, some tomatoes, some strawberries, onions, garlic and as always a full array of herbs. This week's special flavor from Chet's Italian Ice is grapefruit-mint italian ice - yum! Finally, Carol Gilbert from Double "G" Alpacas will be back at her spinning wheel with education handouts for people who might be interested in fiber arts, felting, spinning, hand carding, etc. She will also have some examples of fishing flies made out of alpaca fiber.

See you on the Green!