Montpelier at Smithfield Farmers Market
In the fall of 2020, at the height of the Covid 19 pandemic, Montpelier produced enough garlic, shallots and produce to sell at a farmer's market. We canvassed area markets to assess competition, product pricing and convenient location. Down the road, nestled between our very rural area and the bustling Hampton Roads and Norfolk cities of Tidewater Virginia, is the historic town of Smithfield. Lucky for us, they had a produce slot open and we slipped in.
Starting during a Pandemic? A fair question. Would people come out? Would people be receptive to a culinary concept linking not only field to fork but field to fork using the Joy of Cooking? French heirloom shallots? Really?
A resounding yes to all! The Pandemic sent people out to forage for food and I think the imposed isolation drove curious conversation. We developed a small following through sharing thoughts about good food, wine pairings and how are things going. Despite the national political climate, anxiety over health and economic despair, people are lovely.
Julia Child had it right, "You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces-just good food from fresh ingredients."
Having a good French Griselle shallot, once you know what to do with it, is quite useful. I think Julia would agree!
No comments:
Post a Comment