In my first post, I promised I would offer insight into the market. I've spent the past two weekends getting to know our vendors a bit better and absorbing as much as I can. Let's just say, it takes quite a bit of coordination to get 30 plus vendors onto the green, smiling and ready to greet you at 9 a.m. I won't even get into what it's like clearing the green and returning it to its post-card perfect state.
What I really want to share with you is how different it is to see the market from the inside out. As a shopper at the market, I depended on my eyes and nose to lead me through it, stopping where something caught my eye or a wonderful aroma drifted up and beckoned me. There were vendors that I never stopped to visit.
As a shopper, I asked polite questions of vendors and nodded and went on my way. Truthfully, there is seldom anything at the market that I've never seen or that I don't know how to cook and with the hustle and bustle of the market, I figured, why block other shoppers just so I can chit-chat?
Well, it turns out, our vendors love to talk. I've heard so many great stories about how they got started in their businesses and how they came to be at the Hudson Farmers Market. I've listened to them express their excitement about coming to market and their concern about bringing us their best stuff. In all my conversations with our vendors, there's been a common thread: They all have the same desire to bring the best quality and selection goods to our market patrons.
When I hear about all the thought and effort our vendors put into bringing food to our table (and other goods to Hudson's front yard), I feel really blessed to have such a wonderful place to head to on Saturday morning.
See you on the green Saturday,
Audrey Hylton, Market Manager
ahylton@hudsonfarmersmarket.org