One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to go to the local Farmers Market, which is held in Corvallis every Wednesday and Saturday. Not only are most markets full of quirky and unique vendors, but they are also chock full of fresh veggies and locally produced products. And I must confess, I love to take advantage of the tasty free samples that are offered to passers-by.
Last weekend I bought some heavenly blackberry honey, which was harvested the day before I bought it.
What's even more awesome about Farmers Markets, however, is that they take food stamps! So for thrifty college students such as myself, this makes going to the market even more exciting. Food stamps can even be used to buy food bearing plants (such as tomoto plants, eggplant plants, hot pepper plants, you name it), which is great news because now I can start my own garden! Too tight on cash to afford gardening supplies? I recycled $10 worth of cans and bottles and bought a trowel shovel and some other basic tools.
To find out where and when your town's Farmers Market is open, check out localharvest.org. So if you are bored and not working this weekend, get your gluteus maximus off of the couch, turn off Man vs Wild (don't worry, Bear Grylls will still be eating something disgusting when you get back) and bike/walk/carpool to your local market. Not only will you be doing something outside, but you'll also support your local economy (which we all know could use as much help as it can get).
--Lauren
Photos taken from this photostream and used with permission of a Creative Commons license.
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