Farmers markets in our country have been around for quite a while. It's an old idea that serves the community be it urban or countryside. Below are some early urban markets that offer up farm agricultural products. They were all busy markets and were essential to urban folks. The Detroit Publishing Company accumulated these photos and they now reside in the Library of Congress. Nice that we have the opportunity to view these early years of farm commerce.
Great sign on this warehouse "AGRICULTURAL WAREHOUSE." Apparently in this photo the vendors are setting up their spaces before the market opens. Photo taken in Boston, Massachusetts at the old Quincy Market, 1904.
City Market, Kansas City, MO, 1906
Every age appears to be involved in these great urban markets. Delightful photo of children at the French Market in New Orleans, LA, circa 1900 -1910.
Close-up of the "market kids" from the French Market above.
This busy market place in New York City was called the Ghetto Market.
Open wagons of produce line the streets in New York City at the Italian Neighborhood Market,
circa 1900-10. Ethnic markets were popular as immigrants flooded into the U.S. during this period.
New York city had a multitude of Farmers Markets across city neighborhoods. Here in 1900 is one called Mulberry Street Market.
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Farm markets have a long history in our country and thankfully for us they have had a resurgence replicating the market places in both urban and countryside places.
GREAT RESOURCE SITE FOR LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS
http://www.localharvest.org/
GREAT RESOURCE SITE FOR LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS
http://www.localharvest.org/
Thanks for the pictures and reminder of what farmers markets once were. Times have changed so much! With trucks instead of horses they farmers can come from 100 miles away. But what is available has changed greatly. Our town's farmers market was yesterday. Produce was minimal, lettuce, chard, herbs. Bread, pizza, honey and jams [made maybe last fall]. We don't depend on local farmers. It's almost an exercise in nostalgia.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I love shopping at Farmer's markets; the produce is fresh and not as pricey as the stuff in grocery stores. I like the idea of paying the farmer for his goods.
ReplyDeleteJune -- You are so right -- now we have trucks that can haul farm goods a long distance to market. The produce can be as fresh as horse and wagon transportation but requires gas usage.
ReplyDeleteI find that all farmers market offer local produce grown in season. Perhaps your market vendors just do not have the seasonal produce available yet.
-- barbara
Mama-Bug -- I too shop frequently at farmers markets.
ReplyDeleteDifferent parts of the country offer different kinds of produce as well as the standard type.
One thing I noticed at a few was a couple of vendors selling produce that they bought at wholesale places. Now I feel that is defeating the purpose of locally grown and freshness.
Thanks -- barbara
I love a good farmer's market and will be going to our small one this saturday.
ReplyDeleteI love farmers' markets. Ours is really quite small but enjoyable!
ReplyDeleteLove these photo's..........Hugs Mary
ReplyDeleteFarmchick -- Nice that you have one near you. Here is a great resource for farmers markets and other fresh farm produce.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.localharvest.org/
-- barbara
Kay -- I don't think the size is important -- it is what they sell that is. Thanks for the comment -- barbara
ReplyDeleteMary -- Thanks for the nice comment about the photos. I see that you also like old photos of some things -- like telephones -- barbara
ReplyDeleteI love Farmer's Markets. We have one May through November up the street at the intersection of two major roads through our county. I have difficulty when the air is code red or purple which it is during most of July and August, but I send David up to the Market with a shopping list. This time of the year green beans are at the top of the list, also tomatoes. I love a good tomato sandwich and he likes what he calls a salad...sliced tomatoes and cucumbers slathered in mayo.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos. I will check out the site. I am always looking for archival sources. Dianne
What a lot of neat photos! I love the farmer's market, but haven't been lately since it's all i can do to keep up w/ my own garden (which is a good thing!!)
ReplyDeleteHow funny, Barbara--I posted yesterday about Wheeling, WV's Centre Market, very like the markets in your photos. We seem to be on the same wavelength :)
ReplyDeleteDianne -- Tomatoes and cucumbers -- my idea of a real summer treat. Do you ever grow veggies in your home beds? A tomato plant would love to be surrounded by all your beauties. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteLisa -- Ahh -- you have your own fresh local produce in your own yard. Lots of work but really pays off at the dinner table. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteGranny Sue -- Yes, it is that time of year when farmers market's are beginning to overflow with all types of natural goodies. It is nice that the old tradition has again become so popular across the country. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteThere used to be a big market on Patrick Street in Charleston, WV. My Uncle Mac used to get peaches from there for Grandma to can. It is long gone now, though. We have lots of little road side stand markets around here.
ReplyDeleteJanet -- I remember the old time road side stands. Usually a stand built flimsily by the side of the road. There one could get the farm goods freshly picked. Many have disappeared. I really liked that charming way of selling off farm produce. Thanks for stopping by and reminded me about the stands. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteBarbara, Such great photos, very interesting to see. I guess you could say the Farmers' Market dates back to the Greek Agora and no doubt before that. Have you seen the video of the Bangkok market? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3WF1ukNAH0
ReplyDeleteSheri -- Interesting that they date back to Greek times. I did check out the video that you gave in your comment. I was totally amazed at how they used the space so efficiently. I would like to know more about how this market came about. -- barbara
ReplyDelete