Market report, 2 August: Bloomington

Monday, August 04, 2008

I spent the weekend in Bloomington, IN, so I missed my usual trip to the Clark Park market.  Instead, I investigated the farmers’ market in Bloomington.  I’d had its official address, so I was surprised to find a sign for it two blocks away from where I’d expected.  Then I turned the corner and saw all the tents--it’s huge!  It seemed to be about the same size as the Union Square Greenmarket in Manhattan, although I’m not great at estimating size like that.

There were three or four double rows of stands selling produce, plus a ring around the outside that included a higher proportion of processed things like baked goods, smoothies, dairy, and tamales, in addition to the produce.  These peppers were particularly eye-catching:

Since I was travelling (and staying in a motel, with no refrigeration beyond the air conditioning), I couldn’t try all the things that looked tempting, like the elk meat or the plums or those peppers or the various cheeses, and I don’t think I could’ve fit a bonsai tree or some of the beeswax candles in my backpack, anyway.  What I bought was food for brunch, with plenty of extra for breakfast yesterday (and today, and a bit more):

Vanilla yogurt, of a drinkable consistency and in a beautiful glass bottle, Early Gold apples, blackberries, part-whole wheat sourdough, and a cinnamon roll that didn’t last long enough for the picture.