Opening Day at My Local Market

Loud as a clarion call, the deep purple hues of irises trumpet the arrival of late spring…and, concurrently, the re-opening of many outdoor farmers’ markets. In Boston, where I live, cold weather grips us in its clutches for more than half of the calendar year. I’ve been eagerly awaiting warmer temperatures and what they yield: the early harvests from local farms.

In anticipation of the outdoor markets, I was determined to add a sturdy carrying basket to my bicycle. In the past I’ve stuffed my knapsack and endured the weight pressing against my back as I pedaled. By the time I got home, my market purchases sometimes showed signs of wilting and bruising. I resolved to find a better method this season. I wanted something simple, safe, and ideally repurposing materials rather than buying a new product. I decided that a simple milk crate would do. My local grocer kindly agreed to give me one. Cool beans! All that I needed to buy were zip ties, to attach the crate to my bike rack, and a gear-tie twist to secure it to the seat for extra stability. I also sprung for a cargo net (13×13”) with clips that attach to the crate to ensure that no purchases go flying as I bounce over Boston’s treacherous potholes and cobblestones.

I put my DIY contraption to the test by biking to opening day of the Farmers’ Market at Harvard University. My heart beat fast when I spotted local strawberries that I’ve been hankering for for weeks. I quickly dismounted and began exploring. Ward’s Berry Farm has baskets filled with perfectly ripe berries, salad greens, and asparagus. Across the aisle at Langwater Farm’s stand, radishes with long thin tails, curly kale, and more strawberries beckon. Langwater’s produce is certified organic. I don’t mind shelling out more to limit my ingestion of chemicals.

Somerville-based “When Pigs Fly” sells sourdough, whole wheat, rye, and olive breads along with more adventuresome concoctions such as blueberry, raspberry, & lemonade bread. The loaves are still warm to the touch. Call me old-fashioned, but I opted for traditional rye which packs a lot of earthy flavor without the extra hoopla. Other vendors sell fresh fish, meats and poultry, eggs, farmstead cheeses, and prepared foods. The Farmers’ Market at Harvard University takes place on the plaza at the Science Center, near the corner of Oxford and Kirkland streets. It is open Tuesdays 12-6 pm from mid-June until the end of November. Here’s an older post that provides more detail.

Farmers’ Market at Harvard University

If you want help in discovering farmers’ markets near you, this directory of markets in the United States is searchable by zip code. Here’s a searchable database for farmers’ markets in the U.K. Another resource for discovering food and farmers’ markets around the world is here.

After stocking up on berries, asparagus, salad greens, purple radishes, and bread, I decided that was enough for my maiden voyage with a full crate. The hardest part was swinging my leg over the bike frame without hitting the crate and getting used to balancing the weight on the rear of my bike. A few wobbles later, I made it home safely and with the goods intact. Even the tender strawberries. I celebrated by popping a few strawberries into my mouth and savoring the sweet, juicy flavor of spring.

Related Posts:

Spring Season at the Markets

Farmers’ Market at Harvard (Cambridge, Mass.)

Why Shop at Farmers’ Markets?