The Watauga Farmers’ Market opened Saturday, returning for its 35th season. If only The Simpsons could fare so well. But there’s just something about buying produce from the farmers’ market. Maybe it’s the bragging rights at dinner when guests ask, “Where did you get that?” and you reply, “Oh, I got it from the farmers’ market,” which is usually met with approving nods and impressed murmurs. Maybe it’s the superior taste, enhanced by a natural freshness rather than chemicals. Or maybe it’s to help the local economy. We all have our reasons. Here are some of our favorites.

Melanie Marshall: The Marshall Farm

Visions of apples dance in Melanie’s head.

What’s not to love at the Watauga Farmers’ Market? I rent and therefore do not have a garden space of my own. The market is my means to a fresh salad, but fruit season is my favorite time of year at Horn in the West.
One of my favorite aspects about buying produce there is that I get to put a face behind my food. No sealed bag of pre-washed (maybe), pre-cut lettuce from who knows where. The market goes along with my attempts to purchase and patronize only locally owned businesses. I like the thought that the money I earn in Watauga stays here.

My husband and I are currently searching for some land and a home to call our own. One of our requirements is enough land to grow a good-sized garden, and, if we lucky, an orchard. In our wildest dreams, there are also chickens and whatever other animals we can raise. Ahh, maybe someday I can be a vendor at the farmers’ market.

In the meantime, as we get started, I am hoping the faces behind my produce can offer a little wisdom with the bag of apples. It is safe to say we will be doing as much research as planting. Never been a farmer, but I can’t wait to try.

Scott Nicholson: Support Your Local Farmer

Scott knows all about locally grown products.

The farmers’ market is an opportunity to talk crops with local producers. As an organic gardener, my admiration for those who can consistently produce healthy crops has grown over the years as I have battled frost, slugs, runaway goats and weeds. Gardening has also been a lesson in the true value of good food, and anything you can buy fresh at the farmer’s market is a bargain. I also like to buy starter plants there, and though I’m not a big collector of any type of craft, I enjoy seeing local talent on display. You can’t beat putting cash in your neighbor’s hand for goods and services instead of sending credit-card transactions at FacelessCorpCo through a hundred greedy hands before the producer gets the last few pennies.

Shop local. It’s worth more than what you pay for.