Today is a rainy, dreary Saturday, so I’m going to turn the clock back to last weekend for this week’s Saturday Through My Lens at the Sweetwater Organic Community Farm in Tampa.
I learned about the farm from a flyer I got at the Cuban Sandwich Festival in Ybor City. The olive lady gave it to me while she was convincing me to try her black olive salad, even though I detest black olives. (She challenged me to try it, and I must admit it was delish!)
The Sweetwater Organic Community Farm’s Sunday Farmer’s Market sounded like the perfect weekend outing for My Knight and me. They feature several area vendors with handmade crafts and yummy things like fresh baked bread and smoothies. And of course there is lots of fresh organic produce.
I’ve been making a lot of smoothies at home, incorporating different fruits and veggies. I really like adding kale to my smoothies, so we picked up a bunch at the market. One of the market vendors had a smoothie with kale, celery, cucumber, pineapple, honey and ginger. It was so refreshing! I never thought of adding celery before, but I will now.
In addition to the smoothies, we also tried a salt caramel popsicle (heavenly!). We got all adventurous and tried our first nut burger, which was actually very tasty. I’ve been looking for recipes to recreate one at home.
The farm has members who pay an annual fee in exchange for a weekly share of fresh produce and herbs. They also agree to volunteer a minimum number of hours on the farm so that the work is shared among the community.
The weather was perfect for a farmer’s market day. It was bright and cheerfully sunny with a bit of a breeze.
It got quite warm as the day wore on, but the majestic oak trees gave us plenty of cool shade for relaxing and listening to the live music from local bands and singers.
Even the sunflowers seemed to be seeking out shade to get a little break from the spring sun.
While other plants seem to be stretching with all their might to soak up as much sun as possible.
I am so thankful for the farmers who put in all the hard work so we can have fresh healthy food. Because Lord knows I do not have a green thumb on either hand!
But all these goodies make me want to try my hand at it myself! You should visit Sweetwater Organic Community Farm’s Sunday Market before they’re closed for the summer. The Farmer’s Market is open on Sundays from 12-4pm from November to May. Maybe I’ll see you there!
