Where did the Jalapeños Go? (or Why I Shop at Farmers' Markets)

I recently went on a quest to find jalapeños. I was hosting a fiesta, and needed “vast quantities” of peppers (okay, three or four) for homemade salsa. Actually, I didn’t know this would be a quest when I headed out; jalapeños are a staple of the produce section, along with carrots and celery. Imagine, then, my horror to discover the jalapeño section was empty! I tried both Hannaford and Shaws: no luck, no jalapeños. What gives? I wondered. A few days later, a news report on public radio enlightened me. The tomato salmonella crisis, formerly the spinach salmonella crisis, was now the jalapeño salmonella crisis. Like each previous health crisis, the hazardous vegetable was stripped from the supermarket shelves around the country. This, of course, is what we get for having food shipped internationally from large, commercial farms.

If you are still looking for jalapeños, or any other recently banned vegetable, I have a source that does not rely on an interstate transit system. This vendor has large baskets overflowing with luminous green jalapeño peppers. They are sold for a mere 50¢ each. The source of my secret jalapeño dealer? It’s Crystal Springs Farmers Market, in Brunswick.

Jalapeño peppers aren’t the only reason I shop at Crystal Springs Farmers Market. I like the usual motivators: I can support local farmers, I reduce my carbon footprint, I can support the local economy, the food is riper, fresher, and more tasty, organic food is more nutritious, and I can eat food that is locally in-season. Those are the “preachy” reasons. I also really like to go to the market because it’s a beautiful, cheerful way to start my Saturday morning.

Now, there are many wonderful farmers' markets in Maine. I personally prefer Crystal Spring Farmers' Market because it’s close to my home and every vendor is organic. I can buy eggs, cheese, meat, poultry, seafood, baked goods, ethnic food, flowers, honey, and all the fruits and vegetables that are in season in Maine. Depending on the weekend, I can also learn more about local non-profits, buy crafts and furniture, listen to musicians, watch a knitting circle, or pet llamas and baby bunnies. When I need to walk off the delicious almond roll I purchased from Zu Bread, I can go for a hike on the beautiful trails surrounding the farm. I also really like to visit the sheep pastured adjacent to the market.

If you are interested in finding your own local source for jalapeños, or any other local produce, check out Maine’s website, www.getrealmaine.com/buy/farmers_markets.html; a searchable database of farmers' markets in the state.

No matter where you go, consider the following tips before your trip:

• Bring cash.
• Parking is usually limited. Bikes are always welcome.
• Farmers sell what is locally in-season. We live in Maine, which means some things are not available every week. One week I will find baskets of delicious raspberries. They’re gone the next week, replaced by blueberries. Swap your shopping list with a flexible, open mind, and celebrate the foods that are actually growing in our communities each week.
• Sometimes, weather conditions make it hard for the farmers to harvest certain fruits or vegetables. Try not to be too disappointed when that week of rain prevented farmers from harvesting your favorite berries.
  
• Vendors come and go, depending on the season or the weather. Some days, my favorite vendors will not be at the market. This is another nice way to develop flexibility.
• Bring your own bag or basket to carry your purchases. If you have your own small plastic bags for bagging fruit and veggies, even better. Some vendors reuse cardboard containers, too, such as egg cartons. Vendors appreciate it when you bring your own to reuse.
  
• Dogs are usually allowed. It’s appreciated if your well-behaved dog is on a leash, though.
• Come early to get the best selection, but not too early, as in before they open. The vendors need time to set up their stands.
• Be patient, because everyone is enjoying the day, sunshine or fog. But please don’t block the vendors’ booths when you run into your neighbor and need to have a long, happy chat. It is still a market, after all.

The Crystal Spring Farmers Market is held each Saturday from 8:30 - 12:30 on Pleasant Road in Brunswick. For directions, visit their CSA website, crystalspringcsa.com.