by Jerry Carter
The people of Vermont do not mark their seasons by the days on a calendar. Rather events, the weather and changes to the natural environment tip off Vermonters to the start of a new season. Usually, the first weekend of May marks the beginning of spring for Montpelier. The start of the outdoor farmers market reintroduces a “public green” to downtown, people reacquaint themselves with one another over a beer at Three Penny Taproom’s Montbeerlier, and they spruce up the place that they call home by participating in Green Up Day activities.
Some of this association with the change in the season to events, weather, and changes to the natural environment are remnants of our state’s agrarian past. This past can be made present every Saturday at the Capital City Farmers Market, where shoppers can grab a taste of the season. This year, the market celebrates its 37th year. While the market has grown, the mission remains the same– to support local farmers, food producers, and craftspeople and nurture our local foodshed.
