An ode to our farmer's market

I am a foodie. I was raised in a family of foodies. But my hometown is South Bend, which doesn’t happen to have a very vibrant food culture.
So when I came to IU as a freshman four years ago, I was ecstatic to try all of the delicious food that Bloomington has to offer.

Naturally, the freshman fifteen came and went, and over the years I have grown to love the diverse offerings of the restaurants and various food establishments in

Bloomington.
But the thing I love the most, even more than the delicious burritos at Laughing Planet or the heavenly chocolate and cupcakes at BluBoy chocolates, is the Bloomington Farmer’s Market in the spring and summer.

This Saturday was the first day of the 40th season of the Bloomington Farmer’s Market, and I was excited to go. Cash and reusable grocery bag in hand, I walked to the market in the brisk sunshine with a smile on my face. From over a block away I could already hear the music and people chattering.

There are several reasons why I love the farmer’s market here: the friendly farmers, the lovely selection of produce and flowers and honey and soaps and salsas and eggs and cheese and other wonderful things for sale. The live music at various points in the market, and the smell of coffee and baked goods wafting from the vendor’s tents.

Still, I think my favorite part of to the farmer’s market is its sense of community. I inevitably run into at least one of my friends there, and even if I don’t, I am overcome with a sense of solidarity with the people there.

Everyone who goes to the farmer’s market goes because they love food, and because they want to support the local economy. I love being a part of that.

If you are thinking about visiting the farmer’s market for the first time, here are a couple of tips:  

It is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., but try to get there in the morning — that way you will have the largest selection of produce to choose from.
Bring cash. Most of the vendors don’t take credit or debit cards.

Bring one or two reusable grocery bags to carry your goodies. The prices are so reasonable that I have left the farmer’s market many times with both arms loaded with produce.

Finally, come hungry. There are vendors selling coffee, tamales, crepes, muffins, scones and other brunch foods to sample.

The farmer’s market is located at 401 N. Morton Street, right next to the City Hall building downtown.

Now that it’s open for the rest of the summer, there’s no excuse not to visit and soak up all of the love and foodie fun that it has to offer. If you’re a student at IU, put it on your bucket list to visit the farmer’s market. You won’t regret it.

sydhoffe@indiana.edu
@squidhoff10