When you think of Las Vegas, the first thing that comes to mind is probably NOT fresh, farm-grown produce. There's a reason for that.
We just came from a surprisingly nearby Farmer's Market event held at a local community center. It began at 8, but I'll be damned if anyone was set-up for business by then. Granted, a lot of these 'farmers' do live on the very, very outskirts of the city, if not in completely different townships altogether, so they had a long way to drive this morning.
There were a couple of vendors who had some very nice produce on display, but the prices weren't so nice. I realize they can't very well compete with major retailers' prices, but let's get real here. One woman was selling little baggies of garlic bulbs (3 to a bag) for $4. I'm sorry, but I can get 10 bulbs in a sleeve for .99......BIG bulbs....at my regular grocer. I guess you could say something to the effect of, "Well, I'm sure hers are organically grown and lovingly tended to using midnight pagan rituals". I don't care, it's still not worth it.
I was solicited by 2 different co-op farmers for financial partnerships. In return, they promised weekly delivery of seasonal produce/flowers/fruit to my doorstep for 12-week agreements ranging in cost from $240 to $350, depending on season. I looked at the fine print..."If you live in Las Vegas, an extra $50 will be added to each agreement". How convenient. One lady did let me choose from her very large basket of squash, any piece I pleased, for free. Nice guilt trip, lady.
There were a group of guitar players set up with microphones and amps, entertaining the mostly-over-50 crowd. Nicholas sat on the grass in front of their stage and listened to them play while I walked around slowly, hoping my snail's pace might reward me with the opening of some more vendors. When that proved to be fruitless (no pun intended), I gathered the boy up just in time to hear the beginnings of 'Yesterday'. It always amazes me that wherever I am, a Beatles song comes on. Maybe John IS following me. I hope he likes squash.
