Farmers' Market

Even as businesses struggle because of rising fuel costs (which are thankfully decreasing for the moment) and farms are struggling with high feed costs for the animals, it seems like this may be the time to think small. Thinking small does not mean losing creative energy, but instead thinking about getting a strong, repetitive market.

It appears like people want to be able to get farm-fresh food without the labor involved. They also want to be able to know where their food is coming from and how it got to their table. The buylocal campaigns have started across the country as more small businesses are trying to compete against big-box and chain stores.

This campaign seems like something local residents are ready for and interested in, just based on their attendance at the first Farmers' Market in memory in Westminster. Even without a major campaign of advertising, but instead some simple press in the newspaper and on the cable-access channel - along with word of mouth - the Westminster Agriculture Commission has created a successful market.

The market, held every Friday on Westminster's Town Common, now just has to gain staying power. People have gone the first few weeks because it is new and it is interesting, but now the market will have to continue to get business.

The idea of being able to support your neighbors in their businesses is a good one. It is one of the reason that stopping at the Farmers' Market has appealed to many of those who have come to the Town Common on the last two Fridays … well, that and the fresh vegetables, fruits and other food.

It is easy to be a frequent shopper at the Farmers' Market because each week the refrigerator needs to be restocked with fresh produce.

And if the first purchases are any indication of future quality, the blueberries were sweet, the corn on the cob was fresh, and everything was fresh and local.