18 October 2013

Real Food Day

By Kelly Merrick

Pop quiz: why do you love real food?

That’s the question we hope you’ll be answering this weekend in the “Eat Real” tent at the PSU Market from 10 am to 1 pm as part of a Food Day celebration, a nationwide event that celebrates healthy, sustainable food.

Get Real

Get Real

Food Day focuses on food education as a way to improve our diets and address health issues, and to help support this movement, market volunteers like me will be stationed at the “Eat Real” tent, asking shoppers to tell us why they eat real food.

There are so many good reasons to eat real food, and I can’t wait to hear what you all have to say.

But first, let me tell you why I eat real food: because it keeps me healthy.

About five years ago I developed some health problems that made me feel sick all the time. It wasn’t until I started shopping at the farmers market that I realized food was the medicine I needed – not all of the pills doctors had prescribed me for years. In fact, they were making me sicker, and the only way to reverse the effects was to change my diet.

Two years later, all of those health problems are completely gone thanks to a balanced diet of real food. That’s why I am participating in tomorrow’s event – because I believe the farmer’s market gives us the opportunity to make us healthier and therefore happier.

But all of that aside, I love eating real food because it tastes good and I know that I am supporting a local business in the process. Plus it gives me the chance to hang out at the market every week!

Return of the chestnut

Return of the chestnut

Now that I’ve shared my love for real food, it’s time for some weekly PSU market updates. On the vendor side, fall is officially upon us, signaled by the return of seasonal vendors Eagle Organic Cranberries, Cascadia Chestnuts and Old World Apples. Returning vendors Real Good Food and Honey Mama’s Nectar Fudge will also be there this weekend for their once-a-month appearance.  Don’t forget to stop by and say hi.

Another marker that fall is here is the Great Pumpkin Event, which takes place at the PSU market Saturday, Oct. 26 from 9 am to Noon. The event will feature a pumpkin carving contest and a children’s costume parade.

And it’s never too late to remind you that starting in November, the market hours shift to 9 am to 2 pm. Until then, operating hours stand at 8:30 am to 2 pm.

Be sure to mark your calendars!