Congratulations! Becky Swanson is our #1 Fan

One of my favorite scenes in every travel show is the scene where they visit the local market. The colors and smells and foods they highlight are heralded as a five-senses experience of the "real" fill-in-the-name-of-the-city. We have that here!!!

I think my friend(s?) nominated me because I am market a evangelist in my circles of friends and acquaintances - always talking about the great, local, affordable food at the Minneapolis Farmers' Market. In addition to regaling them with tales of fresh veggies, I talk about the meat, cheese and eggs available from growers you can talk to about their practices.

And then I guess I also go on and on about the plants I've gotten there over the years to decorate my yard: Peonies, holly hocks, perennials of all kinds and bedding plants. And this year, a big story in my life was my wedding (at the end of May) and I got my flowers from long-time Farmers' Market vendor, Jim Bush. It was quite a story, as my friends that were helping with the wedding thought I meant the St. Paul's market and were concerned about selection and service. But, boy! were they impressed with what they found at the Mpls market!

My new husband likes following me through the market carrying the bags of deliciousness. Even on the really hot and crowded days!I've also been known to tempt my running partner away from our Saturday morning run with offers of caramel pecan rolls and coffee.

The main thing for me is that almost all of this food is grown locally, so they're fresh and full of all their nutrients. You can have conversations with the growers and their families and ask all the questions you want about how the food was grown and how you might cook it. As I come back week after week, month after month, year after year, I've gotten to know some of the vendors and feel like I'm visiting friends instead of face-less retailers. This, it seems to me is a cornerstone of a healthy community.My only wish is that my schedule let me come to the market every day!!!