I'm never buying fruit at the grocery store again...

[VelmaD]

I went to the farmer's market near my house yesterday and got fresh blackberries, strawberries and peaches for way less than half what they were at the grocery store and they smelled and looked SO much better. I just had some of the strawberries for an afternoon snack and I think I died and went to heaven. Yummmmmmm.

[Left Is Write]

1. I know exactly what you mean.

I tried getting strawberries at the grocery store on a few occasions recently, and every time they went moldy by the next day - sometimes even later that same night!

I bought a few pints of fresh strawberries at the farmer's market, and they last several days. Yesterday, I bought some more strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.

[VelmaD]

2. What really got me was the smell...

my momma used to grow strawberries and she still has blackberries in her backyard...but after spending so many years buying them at the grocery store I think I had almost forgotten how good the fresh berries smelled. They smelled like sunshine and sugar instead of pesticides.

[wryter2000]

3. You got that right

I buy pineapples in the grocery if they smell really ripe. I buy apples there if they come from New Zealand. We can get crisp apples from the other side of the world, but the ones from Washington are mush.

I never buy tomatoes in the grocery. Never. Considering that the tomato is the world's most delicious food when properly grown, no one should ever buy that pink cardboard and call it a tomato.

Mostly I grow my own tomatoes, and I do without during the winter. There's no reason on Earth to pay money for a supermarket tomato.

[VelmaD]

4. I wish I had room...

to grow my own fruits and/or veggies. But I live in an apartment and there just isn't room on my patio. Oh well, I think I found a solution I like with this little farmer's market. Plus there's just something neat about going down there and wandering around and seeing what looks good or grabs my fancy.

[wryter2000]

6. Your solution

One Earthbox will grow all the tomatoes you need. If your patio gets sun, you've got it made.

www.earthbox.com

Of course, you do need sun. Otherwise, keep buying them at the farmer's market.

[I Have A Dream]

12. Thanks for the Earthbox suggestion. n/t

[Gormy Cuss]

18. Farmer's markets are a perfect solution

For years I couldn't grow anything living in an apartment and I went to the farmer's market every week during the growing season. It's fun to become a regular -- the farmers and their workers recognize you, will tell you what's coming in soon, give you hints on storage or use. It's a great way to attach to another little piece of the community.

I still shop at the local market even though I have a year round garden. There's always something there that I don't grow on my own, like peaches or blueberries.

[mitchtv]

5. the Wa ones are mush, cause

they've been in cold storage for 9 months( most of the time) I am very suspicious of WA apples in the markets even now, it seems a little early.

[wryter2000]

7. That's what I hear

They lost my business. Every once in a while in October, you can get fabulous apples from Washington. But you never know, so I gave up.

[Texasgal]

8. Hey Velma...

did you go to the republic square farmers market?

[VelmaD]

13. Went to the one on north Burnet...

up by Curra's. Not very big...but good stuff. :)

[skygazer]

9. I love farm stands and farmer's markets

And an additional bonus is that the profits are going directly to the growers in most cases.

[catmandu57]

10. I guess we're spoiled here

We grow our own strawberries, tomatos, peppers, green beans, and there are apple orchards everywhere.
We buy fresh sweet corn from farmers on the town square, and other fruit, we're just spiled rotten.

[Nikia]

11. I'll have to start looking for farmer's markets

In Wisconsin, we have to buy fruit at the grocery store most of the year.

[xmas74]

15. Are you in a small town?

[Nikia]

16. Fairly small

not a tiny village but under 10,000.

[xmas74]

17. Talk to your neighbors, find out who the local farmers are.

You could probably buy direct from them instead. Most backyard gardeners and small farmers will be happy to sell to you-some will even deliver it.
You could also advertise in the local paper and on local bulletin boards for a response.

[xmas74]

14. I refuse.

We have a farmers market in my town 3 days a week. Plus, we have a produce market just down the street from me. And there are orchards all over this county. I even buy my honey fresh and I prefer it that way.

[texas1928]

19. I can not wait for the cantaloupes to show up.

and the yellow and orange meat watermelons. MMMMMMM

[SarahB]

20. I need to do this.

I'm so tired of buying strawberries only to find mold on them in less than two days. :grr: