Locally Grown Foods are Delicious

June 16, 2008

Written by Michelle Conway, The Duxbury Clipper

The two trendiest words in the food industry right now are “terroir” and “locavore.” A locavore is a person who chooses locally grown and produced foods. Terroir is a bit trickier to explain; it refers to the unique qualities that a foods environment lends to the flavor and experience of that food. A great example of terroir on the South Shore is Island Creek Oysters, whose delightful flavor is dictated by the chilly tidal waters of Duxbury Bay. Eating an Island Creek makes you both a locavore and a devotee to terroir. How trendy!

Another great way to be a locavore is to head to your local farmers’ market where you will find spectacular produce all of which has been grown less than 80 miles from your kitchen, with most of the produce coming from within a 30-mile radius. Fresh fruits and vegetables land on your table within 24 hours of being picked providing optimal flavor and nutritional value. Being a locavore is also good for the environment; local food travels fewer miles than nationally trucked goods.

Sweet delicious summer is here and area Farmers’ Markets are bursting with fresh produce. Most are open once a week in central locations for three or four hours at a stretch. While the main focus is on insanely fresh fruits and vegetables, farmers markets offer a wide variety of locally grown and crafted products and the opportunity to meet the growers.

The weekly market at St. Stephen’s Field in Plymouth is perched on the edge of Plymouth Harbor where the smell of the ocean air lends a heavenly salty scent to the bountiful produce. With two dozen farms and vendors, this small market is jam packed with local goodies: fresh breads, hand made desserts, unique pestos, artisan goat cheeses and fudge, all accompanied by a quirky beat provided by area musicians.

Each Farmers’ Market has its own unique personality, some offer music, others have artisan crafters, but all provide the best summer produce available in the area. What fun to search the local markets until you find the one that suits you, all while being a terroir lovin’ locavore!

Tidbit: Growing your own produce? www.carltongarden.blogspot.com is a terrific blog chock full with gardening tips accompanied by gorgeous photographs and stories about a garden loving dog named Skippy. Visit www.slowfoodboston to learn more about local efforts to support sustainability and bio-diversity through education and events. Slow Foods motto is “taste, tradition and the honest pleasures of food."

Local Farmers’ Markets

• Cohasset: On Main Street in Cohasset Common. Open on Thursdays from 2:30-6:30 p.m. Season runs from June 12–Oct. 16.
• Marshfield: In the field adjacent to the Marshfield fairgrounds, on Route 3A. Open Fridays from 2-7 p.m. Season runs from June 6 to Oct. 31.
• Plymouth (Courthouse Green): On Court Street. Open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Season runs June 28 to Oct. 25.
• Plymouth (Stephen’s Field): At Stephen’s Field, just south of Plymouth Center on Route 3A. Open Thursdays from 2:30-6:30 p.m. Season runs June 19 to Oct. 30.
• Brockton: At the Brockton Fairgrounds. Open Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Season runs July 12 to Oct. 25.
• Brockton (City Hall): At City Hall plaza. Open Fridays from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Season runs from July to October.
• Carver: In Shurtleff Park, on Route 58, across from town hall. Open Sundays, from noon-4 p.m. Seasons runs June 8 to Oct. 26.