philly

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LisaNova is a YouTube sensation. I just recently found out about her, but I've known her for a long time. I actually went to elementary school with her and then middle school and high school back in NY. Funny stuff. She kills it.

I've only made it out to The Food Trust's Headhouse Square Farmers' Market once since starting my new jobby job at Reading Terminal Market. I miss the bustling Sunday market.

I miss the different farmers proudly selling their goods. I miss eavesdropping on conversations between regulars and their favorite farmers and the newbies who "have never seen a tomato like that before." I miss bumping into friends (as I did when I ran into Marisa when I went 2 weeks ago) who are also spending part of their weekend picking up some produce/baked goods/eggs/dairy at the shambles.

But I wouldn't trade my job for Sundays at Headhouse. I love my new gig. Now I'm the person behind the counter proudly selling local goods. I'm the one on the other side of conversations with regulars and explaining the difference between those conventional tomatoes and the ones newbies had never seen before. I love introducing people to things one normally doesn't come across in grocery store aisles like heirloom Hosenshenk pears (smaller than a golf ball, firm and deliciously sour when still hard); stuffing tomatoes (look just like yellow bell peppers, but they taste just like tomatoes, you can stuff them, but don't roast them); double hickory smoked bacon (it's my new crack) and of course our selection of 3 different raw milk and even a raw goat milk.

I've learned a ton in my first 2 months behind the counter and am quite confident speaking to just about anyone about just about everything at the farmstand. It's refreshing to see so many people I've come to know in my 4 years in Philly shopping at the farmstand. And for those who have been to RTM and never stopped by, please do so – it's on the Arch St side by Metropolitan Bakery, PA General Store, Amy's Place, Bee Natural and the piano. I'm there 4 days a week so odds are, you'll see me there having fun.

The photos above are from Headhouse Square Farmers' Market which is open Sundays from 10a – 2p right up until Thanksgiving. Get there before Noon if you want your pick on what's fully available. If you show up after 1p, good luck finding anything you're looking for, it's probably sold out. The first photo is of Seckle pears. The second photo is of freshly pulled real carrots.