Visit farmers markets on your travels

By Dana McMahan
Every city has its guidebook attractions -- museums, shops, monuments and such. If you enjoy meeting people when you travel though, these places don't offer much opportunity for meeting the locals (other than the person you buy your ticket from).

A fun diversion available in many cities and towns is the local farmers market. More and more cities offer vibrant markets full of interesting people selling local fresh produce, but there's often more on hand. Many markets feature live music, you can usually grab a cup of coffee from a local coffee shop set up on site, and sellers of jams, honeys, vinaigrettes and more round out the food for sale. You'll also feel like a temporary local yourself, joining in a community event like this.

You don't even have to be staying in a vacation rental. It's easy to get supplies for a picnic lunch. Last weekend my dad and I spent Friday night in Staunton, Virginia, before setting out for a motorcycle trip down the Blue Ridge Parkway. Though I was disappointed I couldn't buy the beautiful new asparagus, I did get to chat with the farmer and at least compliment her on it. I met a baker selling wonderfully healthy whole grain breads and bought a mini loaf for sandwiches, and talked to a dairy farmer from Mountain View Farm Products who makes homemade cheeses from his own cows' milk! He sold me his smallest wedge of baby swiss (after I sampled the delicious cheese). I needed some greens to top the cheese with, and when I told the farmer with the assortment of freshly picked baby greens what I needed, she invited me to select what I wanted -- then gave them to me for free. "I can't charge you for that little bit," she said.

So my souvenir from this town was a tasty sandwich of fresh local ingredients -- and the conversations I had with the baker, cheesemaker and farmer.

Wandering the market snapping photos of the produce was great entertainment as well, just as enjoyable as later paid attractions.

So the next time you visit a new city, be sure to check for the local markets. You may make a new friend, and at the least you'll get the fixings for a great lunch.

TAGS: farmers market

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