Fresh Farmer’s Market

(12/7/17) A small group of local Bahamians gathered at the Iggy Biggy shop to display their wares.  There were only two on Thursday.  Two women were selling canned jams, jellies, and pickles.  They had a tasting table set up to sample their hard work.  I bought a jar of pickled cauliflower after tasting a bit.  We discovered that the woman who prepared these sent one of her three daughters to Berry College in Rome, Georgia.  She was so please to hear we are from Georgia and went on to tell us all about the North Georgia Mountains and where she likes to visit.  

Driftwood farms, a hydroponic farm, displayed some of their produce in the other booth.  I bought mixed greens and cherry tomatoes.  Driftwood farms was recently forced to stop growing because their water supply was being cut off. (I won’t get into the local politics of this decision.)  The owners of the farm are Glen and Tracy Kelly. Glen also works at the marina as the dock master.  With $20,000 worth of produce at their site, the Tracy and Glen were in a bind.  The community  joined together to help save as much produce as possible by providing water and water tanks and moving the produce to another locations.  It was reported that about twenty percent of the crops were saved.   I love how they take care of each other in this community but it is sad that so much was lost.  

I have never knowingly had vegetables from a hydroponic farm.  The cherry tomatoes are tart and firm,  just like I remember from my parents gardens.  The fresh greens were tender and some were even a little peppery.  I made a great salad out of both for lunch. 

Steve covered his salad in his favorite, Catalina dressing.  I sprinkled a little garlic olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper on mine and it was perfect. 

Have you ever had produce from a hydroponic farm?  I would love to learn more.  

Joy