Pagosa Farmers Market bulking up

Posted

2020/07/cover-ggp-IMG_0783-300x225.gif Photo courtesy Pauline Benetti

By Pauline Benetti

Southwest Organization for Sustainability

Our third market is coming up this Saturday and the season is ramping up. At the last market, we had growers displaying a wide range of fresh locally grown vegetables: tomatoes, microgreens, carrots, broccoli, beets, lettuce, herbs, spinach, kale, cucumbers, peas, radishes, turnips, peppers and chard. In addition, we had nine dozen eggs and a variety of plants, including basil, rosemary, peppers, oregano and comfrey. In the category of essential specialty items, we had hand-tailored face coverings, water bottles and hand-made scented hand soap for those frequent hand washings. 

Those of you who arrived late to the market are probably wondering why you did not see this cornucopia of plenty. Well, it is precisely because you arrived late. You have to remember that our growers do not mass produce in the manner of a commercial grower. Their greenhouses and hoop houses and row covers are a family project, so they plant only what they can care for and harvest and have water to support, and this year water may be a limiting factor.

The market does look different with all our vendors wearing face coverings, but, perhaps, the biggest difference and the one most sadly missed is the lack of opportunity for community gathering, for meeting up with friends, for sitting down to talk and listen to some music. Instead, we are asking our friends to enter the market through the east entrance, where they will be given a mask if without one, make their purchases while maintaining distance and leave through the west exit with, perhaps, a wave to a friend here and there or a short conversation. We can only hope that by next season the market can return to normal.

There is no change to our SNAP policy, however. We continue to accept SNAP cards and continue to hand out free a $20 value of Double up Bucks for the first $20 SNAP purchase, essentially doubling purchasing power. In addition, we will be redeeming coupons from the San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging which have been distributed to local seniors to encourage shopping at the Pagosa Farmers Market and buying nutritious local food. These coupons are supported by funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. For more information, call 403-2164. 

The market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  at the east end of town at the East Side Market.

Hope to see you at the market Saturday -— but early.