Kale, carrots, radishes, squash -like the pattypan, a squash in the shape of a flower that is almost too pretty to eat – as well as a bundle of other items that don’t thrive in the heat are obtainable right now thanks to the cooler weather.
Midtown Farmers Market, which is located in the BBB parking lot on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays from 7-11 a.m, is a great place to start. The market features up to 22 vendors and all are verified local, according to Aileen Bost, executive director of Midtown and a member of Bost family farm. Also found at Midtown is arguably the most important fall produce of all time—the pumpkin. Marty Bost, Aileen’s son, grows 15 different kinds of the seasonal symbol each year to sell at Midtown. He starts selling his hybrid pumpkins, varying in shape, size and color, the first weekend in September, which adds the perfect touch of fall flair to the market. It is worth a visit just to see the pumpkins, if nothing else.
They also give back to the community, donating to The Pantry, a nonprofit organization in Oxford that provides food to families in need throughout the town.
Midtown Farmers Market will be open through October before closing down at the end of the month and re-opening May.
Oxford City Market, located on West Oxford Loop, another great option, is open every Tuesday from 3-6:30 p.m. through Nov. 24. With over 40 vendors, they have an amazing selection of produce and baked goods alike to spark your culinary creativity.
If you need further motivation to pay either one a visit, consider the benefit of buying local. Not only is it a cheaper, healthier option when shopping, it gives back to your community in more ways than one.
“Buying local is like community service,” said Jeffery Peavy, who works with the Mississippi Sustainable Agricultural Network advocating for the importance of incorporating healthy, sustainable and local foods into the community.
Ironically, 90 percent of the food that Mississippians’ buy comes from outside of the state, and 85 percent of the food grown in Mississippi gets sold in other parts of the country.
Obesity rates go down and the local economy goes up when cities adopt a more communal way of obtaining their food, Peavy said.
The University’s Student Union held a farmers market right outside its doors this past Thursday. One of the booths there belonged to Real Food Rebels. This organization is for students who care about the promotion of sustainable food practices throughout University. Members of Real Food Rebels work to bring local, humane and ethical food to the University while also reducing its carbon footprint.
This month, Real Food Rebels is putting on a couple of events to highlight some of the goals they want to accomplish. On Friday, Oct. 16, Yokna Bottoms Farm will be giving a tour of their facilities.
The Real Food Rebels and anyone that is interested are welcome. They plan to meet and leave from the Ole Miss Depot at 4:15.
Farmers markets and local, seasonal buying, while being extremely trendy and Instagram worthy, can really help to make a community better and stronger. So, Tuesday after school or Saturday while the Rebels are away, pay one of the farmers markets in town a visit.
Buy a pumpkin, listen to some music or ask Aileen Bost her favorite way to cook a pattypan squash. It’ll be worth it.
