View From the Other Side of the Table

Before I was a farmer's market vendor, I was a farmer's market customer, checking out booth after booth and sometimes balking at the prices of things. Imagine charging that much for homemade bread, chocolate, salsa, wine or produce! Not having yet been a vendor, it was impossible for me to know how much time, energy and resources went into the crafting of the product that seemed so pricey.

Now that I've been on the other side of the table, I really get it!! High quality ingredients, hand made beautiful products, long hours making the products and on market day (after working at a frenzied pace in the days before, then packing the car the night before)...up at 5 am, out the door carrying lunch, drinks, coffee (or in my case, vitamin powder drink), set up the tent, tables and products by opening bell.

It can be challenging to have a smile on one's face at that opening bell especially if it's cold and drizzly or burning hot or even if it's a nice day because the long week of preparations has left us with some real fatigue.

Yet we keep on keepin' on to build our businesses, try out new products, and best of all, to take part in the community spirit!

Market day is a happy day. Everyone is out with babies, kids, and dogs looking for beautiful food and crafts and connection.

My friend, Peggy, who helped me at the market a few times, pointed out the changes in people's faces upon trying my products. Of course, not everyone likes my products but most people did. When someone tried the Sprouted Almond Cookies or a Pumpernickel Muffin Top I watched their face move from neutral to pure joy and delight.


Comments like "these cookies are delicious and are not too sweet!" and "I haven't had pumpernickel in sooooooo long! Thank you!!" remind me that I am on the right path, bringing healthy delicious food to people like myself with food restrictions.

Peggy suggested that sometime we set up a video camera to document the facial changes. I think it's an interesting idea!

I learned so much from my first vendor year at the market. I didn't figure out everything, though. Some days I sold out of one product. The next week I'd bring lots more of that product but it would just sit there while something else would sell out. Baffling.

I felt a lot of solidarity and support with and from the other vendors. We shared business tips and supported each other through the season.

We have one last market, the Pre-Thanksgiving Market which will be indoors so no tent to set up. I'll be presenting  my newly perfected Chocolate Bread as well as my Ginger Bread. Hopefully, my new Cocktail breads, which need another week or so of testing, will also be ready.

               
        Ginger Bread                               Chocolate Bread

Being a farmer's market vendor was a fabulous experience and I hope to do it again, next year!!

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A Story about a Child and Food Allergies

Just a quick story to balance the many difficult stories associated with food allergies and our children. I was giving a Healing with Food presentation at the Ashland, MA Farmers Market and was offering samples of Lacto-Fermented pickles donated by The Real Pickles Company. A dad was gently coaching his son to ask me if the samples contained...and then the boy quietly and sheepishly recited the list which sounded like the big 8 allergies.

I turned around to a member of my team and said "Food Allergies, let this boy read the ingredients". My team member motioned for him to come to the back of the booth and although the boy was hesitant, his dad came with him and they read the ingredients together and found he could indeed have a sample. It seems like such a simple thing but I know this was an important step in this boy's learning to take care of himself in a world that could make him very sick...or worse.

So many children have to be ultra-careful about what they put in their mouths. So many parents have to literally micromanage their children's coming and goings around food in schools, birthday parties, soccer games, etc. in order to avert disaster and simply keep them safe.

I have been on the receiving end of wait staff who say they understand my food allergies and then bring me dangerous food.
I have been on the receiving end of people who say "just taste a little...it won't hurt you".
An extended family member who is a nursing student said the eating gluten-free is a life style choice! Is that what they are teaching in nursing school?
And though I would not call it bullying, I have also been on the receiving end of someone saying I wasn't cool because I have to watch everything that goes into my mouth. 

These people were all unfortunately ignorant and need training in awareness and compassion. As more and more people are diagnosed with food sensitivities and anaphylactic allergies, we must support each other in these areas, looking for the opportunity to help where we can.

My new bake shop will have a big sign outside the entrance stating "Allergen-Free Facility. Please do not bring any food or drink into this kitchen".  When I have my bake shop launch party, I will keep my new facility safe by providing all the food and drink rather than have a pot luck (which is the norm for my friends).

Back to the shy boy learning to ask for what he needs to keep him safe. I was proud of my team for making this happen for him. I was proud of his father's coaching and support. I was proud that even though the boy was nervous about asking, nervous about coming into the booth, nervous about the whole thing, he stayed with it and empowered himself to keep himself safe.

Look for the opportunities in your life to support and educate others about food sensitivities and allergies. We need to grow a strong safety net for all of us!

Here are a couple of photos from the Healing with Food event:

A demo table full of pickles and jars ready to be filled.

Sarah offering samples to the crowd.

Thanks again to my team: my husband Allen, my friend Laurel,  and my assistant Sarah. It was a really great day!!