Garden-fresh flowers, like these spider mums, are available at the Faribault Farmers’ Market, open now on Saturday mornings from 7 a.m. – noon in Central Park.
SHOPPING AT A FARMERS’ MARKET is not simply about shopping for garden-fresh produce, home-baked goods, handcrafted items and more. It’s about the experience. That much I’ve learned in my many years of frequenting the Faribault Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings.
Musicians perform at the recent Faribault Farmers’ Market Family Day while shoppers visit the market.
A Minnesota item crafted by Becker Woodcraft LLC.
Vegetables are in abundance.
The experience is one of community—of coming together, of connecting, of appreciating this place and the people committed to sharing their products.
My friend Al sells his flowers and produce.
Old-fashioned zinnias grown by Al.
One of the youngest vendors from 3 Glad Girls sells gladiolus.
My local farmers’ market offers opportunities to chat with vendors like Kelly of The Giant’s House Bakery, Al with his ever-brilliant bouquets of my favorite zinnias, Denny with whatever creative treat he concocts (like chocolate-dipped jalapenos), Tiffany of Graise Farm with her duck eggs…
Heirloom tomato.
One of the more unusual items for sale, agates displayed in a bowl of water.
I often pause and chat with friends who are also seeking locally-grown/baked/crafted food/goods. Pumpkins. Kolacky. Homemade jams and jellies. Cookies. Bouquets of flowers. Jewelry and art.
A bouncy house provides fun for the kids during Family Day.
A musician plays the flute during Family Day.
The goats were a popular Family Day draw.
Meet the goat.
Milk the goat.
When the Faribault Farmers’ Market hosted Family Day a few Saturdays ago, I was pleased to see Central Park crowded with young families enjoying the extras of fun activities, informational booths, music and farm animals up-close.
Kids make fruit and vegetable prints during Family Day.
The atmosphere felt festive and spirited with a prevailing sense of community. More than ever today, we need to reclaim and maintain that feeling, that sense of connection that brings us together. We need one another. Whether we live in town or the country. Your local farmer’s market is a good place to start building community.
TELL ME: Do you shop farmers’ markets? If yes, what do you buy? Tell me also about your experiences.
© Copyright 2019 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
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