Lettuce Celebrate
Most historians agree that the origin of farmers markets can be traced back to Egypt, over 5,000 years ago when farmers along the Nile came together to sell their fresh produce.
But these same historians can’t seem to agree on the origin of the farmers market here in the U.S. Some sources site Lancaster, Pennsylvania as the first to assemble local farmers as far back as 1730. While others credit Boston, Massachusetts as the original market all the way back in 1634.
So, we really don’t know, do we?
What we do know, though, according to a recent USDA census, is that today there are more than 2,600 farmers markets across the country, where Americans spend $1.1 billion annually.
One of those markets, the Rome Farmers’ Market, located at the Rome Town Center in Rome, Wisconsin, has been serving locals and visitors since 2009. That’s when Ruthann Spiegelhof and Judy McCormick organized six vendors to come together for a weekend to sell their produce, never dreaming that it would grow to more than 95 vendors today.
Every Friday, rain or shine, from May to October, you’ll find all the usual seasonal favorites. Depending on when you visit, you’ll enjoy fresh-picked asparagus, cucumbers, beets, broccoli, onions, strawberries, apples – well, you get the idea. If it’s grown here, chances are you’ll find it here.
But that’s not all. Other favorite finds include baked goods like cakes, breads, cookies, scones, and the soon-to-be world-famous fry pies.
What’s a fry pie, you ask. Well, a staple among our Amish friends, fry pies are irresistible hand-held pies in a half-moon shape, that can be fried or baked and drizzled with a sweet, sweet glaze. Sounds good enough to eat, doesn’t it?
Then there are canned goods like red-ripe tomatoes, crispy green beans, and sweet peaches. There are jams from berries you may never have heard of. Hand-poured candles and hand-made soaps. Cookware. Jewelry. Baskets. Wood crafts. How about a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers? And so on, and so on, and so on.
Thinking you might need to stretch your bones before you make the rounds? Be sure to join Lisa Brazeau for a yoga class. She’ll be there every Friday, first thing, at 9:00am. Whether you’re stiff as a board or super-bendy like Stretch Armstrong, Lisa will guide you through flexibility and meditation exercises that will prepare you for whatever the rest of the day may bring you.
So, whether it was Lancaster or Boston, we don’t really care, do we? Cuz we know that we have one of the best in the Midwest.
See you Friday.
The 2022 Outdoor Rome Farmers Market operates every Friday from 9:00am-1:00pm, May 20-October 7, 2022 in the Rome Town Center (next to the splash pad).
The Indoor Rome Farmers Market runs December-April, once a month, from 12:00pm-3:30pm, at the Rome Town Hall.
Credit cards and checks are accepted by some, but not all, so bring cash.
The vendors encourage you to bring cash in small denominations to simplify transactions, but of course, they’ll be happy to take your money any way you want to give it to them.
Please contact the Rome Farmers’ Market via email at romefarmersmarket@gmail.com with any questions.
Written by: Lydell Capritta