Rollings: Sedalia Farmers Market readies for long winter nap

This is one of my favorite times of year.

This is also one of my least favorite times of year.

While autumn makes a gorgeous show, like the finale of a fireworks display, I know it signals the end of a good thing. The twice-weekly, all-local Sedalia Area Farmers’ Market is closing for the season this Friday.

For those who realize the importance (in body, mind and economy) of local food, a twinge of panic ensues. Though my freezer contains good “freezables” such as tomatoes and green beans, and the root cellar sweet potatoes and squash, I’m going to miss our farmer friends and their camaraderie each market day. Still, I’m looking forward to snuggling in for winter’s hibernation with the makings of hearty soups and stews.

Reflecting on the 2011 farmers’ market season brings satisfaction akin to bringing in a good harvest. Rain (oh, the spring rain!) or shine, veteran farmers brought new offerings such as Bristle Ridge’s “yard long” green beans and Clear View Farm’s “moon and stars” watermelons; and new farmers brought standard staples such as the aptly named “trust” tomatoes, the sweetest of sweet corn, and gorgeous purple eggplant. We delighted in beautiful greens such as Show-Me Produce’s chard, kale, spinach and arugula. Beau Solais Farm’s oyster mushrooms never failed to please. Blueberries, raspberries and blackberries brought cooling sweetness to summer’s heat (and oh, the July heat!). Harmony Hill’s and Cedar Bluff’s incomparable pastured poultry surprised newcomers and made them converts. Each market brought a new offering to delight the senses and expand the palate.

Of course, some customers come just for what’s blandly known in the agriculture community as “value added products.” Anything but bland, we reveled in Pasta Italia’s fresh pasta and marinara sauces, European Deli’s Russian pierogies and Mabel Brubacker’s pecan-cinnamon rolls. The fresh-baked bread varieties included Common Sense Bakery’s sourdough, rye, whole wheat, Val Larm’s wheat berry, French, pumpernickel, cheese, jalapeno, nut, carob, cranberry, banana and poppy seed. Jams and jellies made from elderberries, raspberries, strawberries, apples and even zucchini graced our toast. We were introduced to energizing ‘yerba mate’ and quenched by fresh green tea.

Of course, the market offered experiences that were the icing on the cake, so to speak. Discounts honored a new group each month, including our military and seniors. Each Friday local musicians such as Mike Todd and Bill Gordon provided the soundtrack of the season. Local amateur (in name only!) chefs such as Lanie Gordon and Bev Hayes taught us new and tantalizing recipes, using local produce. Children flocked to the Little Sprouts crafts area, nimbly coordinated by Mrs. Terri Kees.

One kindergarten-aged child remarked, “The farmers’ market is my favorite place in the whole wide world. My second favorite place is Disneyland.”

I know just how she feels.

Our new location on the Missouri State Fairgrounds, offering trees and grass, provided great comfort to vendors and customers alike — thanks, Jim Smith and Mark Wolfe, for locking up after us. Thanks also to Bothwell Regional Health Center for providing visionary funding for the food stamp match; and to MFA Agri-services for providing funding for advertising.

You may be surprised to know that our vendors are already planning their 2012 crops. So even though it may appear that the market, like a field, is lying fallow, lots of activity is happening beneath the surface. Our annual meeting will occur in late January or early February.

We are considering a winter market trial, a couple of hours a couple of days each winter month — please let us know if you would support that by emailing
info@sedaliaareafarmersmarket.com or post on our Facebook page.

And you haven’t stocked up for winter? Fear not, local food friends: One market day remains. The market will be open on Friday from 3 p.m. until dusk — rain or shine, heat or cold. We’re still honoring senior citizens; there’s Val Larm’s five-star caramel popcorn free for the kiddos; and our musicians are having a year-end farm jam. Treats such as beautiful squashes, onions,and sweet potatoes abound. Even eggs freeze well (out of the shell) for up to six months.

May you have a delightful winter, full of renewal and joy, safe travels, good friends and delicious local food! Until spring!