August 3, 2008
Waianae farmer’s market
I’ve been seeing the banners beside the highway since the first Waianae Farmer’s Market back in June, but didn’t get to it until yesterday. Here’s the thing about farmer’s markets: Farmers wake up early and like to start work early. People who like to shop at farmer’s markets know to go early. I don’t do early. I arrived a little before 10:30 yesterday. There were still quite a few folks milling around, so I was hopeful that I would find some goodies to carry home.
I heard the music as soon as I got out of the car where I parked it, an acre or so away. Good thing I snapped a picture as soon as I was close enough, because they finished the song they were on and then packed it up. That’s Danny on the right and I think I remember that the guy on the keyboard is Ron. Danny is an outrageous flirt, so of course I remembered his name!
I first heard about Ma’o Organic Fruits and Vegetables when I saw a group of kids wearing their tee shirts a month or so ago. I didn’t know until this weekend that they provide internships for some of our local students from Waianae High School. Good for them!
I love the Pinoy Express man’s sign! Do you suppose it’s to let folks know that he delivers? Maybe not, since I don’t see a phone number anywhere and he’s not in the phone book. I didn’t think to ask, but will make it a point to do that next time.
All he had left by the time I got there was a few lumpia.
All of the produce stands were pretty much depleted, too. There were lots of herbs left, but I grow my own, so I didn’t need any.
Okinawan yams start out white-fleshed, but turn purple when cooked. They’re a little less moist and have less flavor than the orange-fleshed one that I prefer, so I passed on them, too.
Mangoes are abundant right now. I passed at least a half-a-dozen roadside stands selling them as I was driving to the farmer’s market. Some folks will be giving them away soon just to get rid of them.
The orchid booth had breathtakingly beautiful plants on display. I have orchids. I grow them indoors and out. The only time mine have ever had blooms is when I bought them. I don’t need any more green plants, to I resisted the temptation to bring more home with me.
In the end, the only thing I bought was a kalua pork sandwich to take home for my lunch. It’s a wonderful treat I don’t indulge in often: that’s grease, not juice, saturating the meat.
The Farmer’s Market is held at Makaha Resort in beautiful Makaha Valley on the first and third Saturday each month. It’s sponsored by the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation and is their first farmer’s market set up to accept food stamps. I’d like to arrive early next time so that maybe I can bring home a goody bag full of fresh-from-the-farm yumminess. We’ll see if I can manage to drag myself out early for that special treat!
The photos for this post were taken with my little Kodak. I’m not unhappy with it, but it leaves a bit to be desired. I can’t do an upgrade right now but have been looking at other cameras online so I’ll be ready when the time comes. I really like this Canon Powershot. What do you think?
[tags]farmer’s market, fresh produce Hawaii, Hawaii, Hawaii farmer’s market, Hawaii outdoors, Hawaii photos, Waianae, Waianae Farmer’s Market, Waianae High School[/tags]
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August 3rd, 2008 at 9:33 am, skeet’s stuff » Self Portrait Sunday for August 3, 2008 Says:
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August 3rd, 2008 at 1:23 pm, Lee Says:
Oh my gosh. Those mangoes look like I could pick them off my screen.
I’ll be right there to get some!
August 3rd, 2008 at 4:06 pm, skeet Says:
Are mangoes hard to get where you live, Lee? We have them year-round, but they’re especially plentiful right now.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:50 am, Lee Says:
We can get them skeet, but they’ve traveled a fair distance before they arrive. They taste nothing at all like the tree ripened variety that I see in your photos!
August 4th, 2008 at 6:51 am, Katie Says:
Just spent a week on Kauai, and yumm, those kalua pork sandwiches (and tacos too!) are so delicious. And the mangos too, were so great, nothing like the ones we finally get here in CT.
I want to move to Hawaii (sniff).
August 5th, 2008 at 8:25 pm, skeet Says:
Our mangoes are certainly fresh, Lee. Makes a huge difference in produce, doesn’t it?
August 5th, 2008 at 8:27 pm, skeet Says:
Katie, if I find out that you had to change planes at Honolulu and didn’t let me know I’m going to be completely devastated and may never recover! Really, really glad you got to spend some time in Hawaii, though!
August 7th, 2008 at 8:08 pm, HawaiiVacationGifts Says:
Hi Skeet,
The mangoes look really ono! Read several of your posts just now. Missed you at Evelyn’s blog carnival this month!
August 7th, 2008 at 10:20 pm, skeet Says:
Ack! Did I miss the Carnival of Aloha? Evelyn usually lets me know when it’s coming up.
Mahalo for stopping in and for letting me know. I’ll scoot on over to her place for some good reading!
September 21st, 2008 at 12:30 am, skeet’s stuff » Farmer’s Market fun Says:
[…] last time I went to the Farmer’s Market I arrived late in the morning. I had a good time, but there was very little fresh produce […]