Durango Farmers Market; Thanksgiving Market
Grocery shopping the way it was meant to be: in the sun and fresh air

I generally dislike grocery shopping, mostly because of the bright fluorescent lights and the crowded aisles and so every year in May when the Durango Farmers Market starts, I get excited to finally shop the way I want to; under the sun with fresh air. 

Every Saturday morning since my family and I moved here, we’ve loaded up the family (this year with our masks), bring our biggest market baskets and we head over to the TBK Bank to get everything I know I’m looking for.  

I love the fact that all vendors are local businesses and that they are selling products and produce they grew or made themselves--within our five-county radius.  And I relished in the fact that the market supports this local production and local businesses.  My kids are always particularly curious about the local food movement and like to ask the agricultural vendors questions about the sustainable and organic methods they use. We’ve learned that shortening the food supply chain provides more security for our local food shed and helps cut down on carbon emissions, making it an all around smart choice for our health and our planet's health. It’s so important to us to keep this area sustainable and beautiful.

Every trip to the Saturday market is a bounty of food and knowledge, but this summer in particular, the Durango Farmers Market was a life saver. Me and my family felt safe walking around outside in the open air, everyone around us wearing masks, too.  We missed the live music, but understood the safety precautions and definitely took advantage of the handwashing stations and hand sanitizer. I felt safe and proud that the market was taking responsibility and doing whatever it could to keep our local community healthy. 

For this reason I plan on going to the Thanksgiving Market this year to shop for my Thanksgiving meal. The market will be in the same place as the regular Saturday market--the TBK parking lot--so I can still shop in the open air and since there will be over 50 vendors, both agricultural and artisan, I know it will be easy to find the delicious food products I’m looking for and I can even get an early start on my holiday gifts! There will be soap and lotion vendors, jewelry, wood working, pottery, textiles and tinctures, included with the fresh foods; all things my family and friends will love! It’ll be a great Saturday to avoid crowded grocery stores and safely spend time with the family outside; enough excitement to get us ready for the Holiday Market in December!