Sunday, January 24, 2010

Lafayette Farmers Market

The very first fun activity I will be writing of is one I have been wanting to do ever since I read about it in the Lafayette West Lafayette Visitors Guide.

Lafayette's Farmers Market
First a little history: This market has been around for well over a century! The Free-Press of April 25, 1846, spoke of action by the Lafayette Town Board to buy a strip of ground 30 feet wide fronting on what is now Fifth street between Main and Columbia from Aaron and Florence Claspill, husband and wife, on the condition that the strip of land "be and forever remain open as a public market space". (source)

There is currently 3 Farmers Market in West Lafayette and Lafayette. Unfortunately, the times at which they are open do not make it any easier for the Students in Purdue to patronize them. But if you actually do find the time to do so, it will be time well spent!

The main Farmers Market, as mentioned above is located on Fifth street, Down Town Lafayette. They are open August to October, Tuesdays(0730-1230), Thursdays(1600-1900) and Saturday(0730-1230).

The first spawn is on Purdue's Campus itself, 403 Wood Street. But sadly, it runs only June 4th - August 13th. They are open Thursdays(1500-1830).
The second spawn, Sagamore West Market, is located at Cumberland Park and opens Wednesdays(1500-1830).

The Original Farmers Market offers a wide range of produce depending on the time of the year. For example, apples are available only July through October and Peaches are available in June.

There are a ton of benefits about visiting and purchasing produce from the Farmers Market. Firstly, you leave behind an astoundingly low carbon footprint as compared to food you would normally get from any supermarket that had to be flown in. Secondly, you will feel a greater connection with your food as you come into contact with the person who actually grows or rears what will soon be on your plate and in your belly. Thirdly, the food items bought are also usually very fresh! Much fresher than those that had to be frozen and flown in from other cities or countries in generic supermarkets, which means they will taste better and you WILL BE HAPPIER! =D Last and most importantly, you can help keep the organic cycle going and help the environment!!!! Thus by buying produce from Farmers Markets, you are helping make the world a better place!


Lafayette's Farmers Market also sells a great variety of goods such as quilts, handbags, jewelry, body and bath products, baked goods, art, etc.
The lively atmosphere and the sights and sounds of the Farmers Market is sure to make a very interesting place to explore alone or with friends. Especially since the shopping options around Purdue university is quite appalling and most student I know take to the Amazon and eBay for their needs.

There is also the occasional live performances at the original Farmers Market. Two of the musicians who played last year were the local saxophonist/clarinetist, Danny Weiss and guitarist/contemporary folk song writer, Joe Peters.
Although I wasn't able to attend either of their performances, I searched for a sample of their performance to try to get an idea on what it would have been like.



And if the feel of the Farmers Market is anything like Joe's music, it would be fresh and a welcome change.

"the Farmers Market is a pretty cool place to go", Mr Chad Hardy, my ENGL 106 TA said in passing when I told him about my first post. This coming from someone who will be deciding whether or not I will be getting an A for class makes the statement very trustworthy and reliable. So whosoever chance upon and reads this, GO TO THE FARMERS MARKET AND HAVE SOME FUN! and see the other side of Lafayette/West Lafayette.

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