Making intelligent food choices is one of the easiest ways to decrease our impact on the environment. Locally grown produce not only avoids the cost and fuel of shipping cross-country, but it also will most likely be the freshest choice available.

 

Since 2005, Emmaus Farmers' Market has been open from May to Thanksgiving, rain or shine, with booths from almost 20 local farms. The produce ranges from bison steaks to organic honey to fresh-baked bread, and the place is usually swarming with patrons eager to find a fresh ingredient or two.

 

My family buys most of our vegetables there, so with the beginning of this year's season I thought it would be a good idea to write a blog post about my first trip of the year. So, on May 31, I set off with my video camera and took some footage of the market. 

 

My parents were out of town for the weekend visiting my brother at college, so the trip was unfortunately a solo one. I got up early (8 a.m., on a weekend!) and was faced with my first real-world, parallel-parking situation on the streets of Emmaus. (I managed it with all bumpers intact, you'll be happy to know.) I drew some curious glances from vendors and shoppers alike when I marched into the market area with my tripod and camera. I caught the market at the beginning of the season, so there were comparatively few stands set up. I was asking vendors if they would mind if I took video of their produce, and one man actually turned me down because he was ashamed of his "meager selection" -- his words, not mine.

 

My favorite part was the Puttle game in the middle of the market. Puttle is a weird hybrid of mini-golf and bowling in which you putt a golf ball into a row of mini wooden bowling pins to accrue points. The creator of the game, Ken Kleppert, was at the market. Kleppert is an enthusiastic gent who loved showing off his creation. The video above includes some footage of me giving Puttle a go, so check it out if you want to see me score four puttle points!

 

My parents weren’t around with a shopping list, so in the end I didn’t buy anything. The overall feel of the place was friendly, as always. Several people approached me while I was filming to inquire about my project. Perhaps in a few months I’ll make another visit to see the market in summer harvest's full glory. Until then, keep checking back to read my blog. I’ll be posting more regularly from now on!