the farmers markets are closed for the season – now what???

Phew!  As much as I bought this past Saturday, the last day of the season for the Hudson Farmers’ Market, I’ve already run out of things.  The Winter Indoor Market is being held Saturdays, November 26th – December 17th at Christ Church Episcopal at 431 Union Street, 10:00am – 1:00pm.

I am always looking for options when I shop for food.  I’m not sure if it’s because I’m always looking for the best price (and good value) or if it’s from my days as a traveler, but I always want to know what’s out there.  Also, sometimes I run into situations…  Like, this past weekend at the Farmers’ Market, I wanted to buy 2 dozen eggs from a vendor (I was making the pumpkin souffle I had mentioned last week – which was totally worth the 10 egg whites btw).  The vendor was only willing to sell me one dozen, because she didn’t have a lot of eggs and she was saving them for other customers.  Ouch!  Luckily I had options, and I walked over to the next vendor who sold me more eggs.

I like to buy direct from the farmer/baker because my food money goes directly to my food producer – it’s the best way to support a local producer.  However, what do you do when you want regular ole’ graham crackers or a can of baked beans?

I am very excited about the Hannaford scheduled to open up in Bell’s Pond just outside of Hudson, mid-2012.  Why get excited about another big box grocery store, you ask?  There’s something about Hannaford which is just clean.  I’m afraid I have nothing more logical to offer.  I hope this location will offer Local Ocean fishies.

But, if you don’t want to drive outside of Hudson, what do you do?

Cheese guy said he may open Lick in January to sell cheese, mushrooms, some others things…  What about winter ice cream???  Stay tuned.

Bruno’s offers a small selection of seasonal veggies plus I noticed (not exactly local but very useful) limes.

Across the street the West Indies Natural Food & Grocery has an eclectic assortment of food stuffs, including fresh ginger.

Olde Hudson has a fabulous selection of cheeses as well as other comestibles.

Mercedes offers the Hudson Farm Box – a townie CSA delivery on demand, perfect for the commitment-phobic.  This is a great offering for anyone who does not have time to go from farmer to farmer collecting their produce.

The Italian Market at the corner of 7th & Columbia is a good source for Italian goodies.

And of course, hopefully soon we will have Acres Co-op Market within walking distance.  Why “hopefully soon”?   Acres needs members!  At the very least, visit them during Hudson’s Winter Walk, coming up December 3rd.

What a great excuse for a walk.  Whether you are celebrating Black Friday or Buy Nothing Day today, you have to eat, right?