Thursday, August 24, 2006

Marketing 101

Well, more like a market off Highway 101.

These are photos from the weekly "Farmer's Market" held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Arcata Plaza in the middle of town in the city of Arcata, of Humboldt County in Northern California.

A colourful array of fruits and vegetables, animals and minerals. And people.

Oh yes, lots of people! Women and men, boys and girls - and some we were unsure of! Peeps of every age, babies to octogenarians, almost every nationality and religion, varying hues of skin colour, differing political viewpoints, all hair types, all sorts of eating habits and drinking choices, wearing (or not wearing- ahem!) clothing and accessories of every description, probably in any possible living situation, those with obvious (and not obvious) physical and/or mental challenges, etc.

A menagerie of everything in life, pretty much. Quite a collective thing to take in, believe me.

We have these kinds of weekly markets throughout San Diego but none as eclectic as what Peter and i saw here. Very, very interesting in every possible way. When he attended school in the area, he said he went to this almost every week and bought fresh organic foodstuffs, flowers and crafty things on occasion, too.
















<----This kid, the son of someone in the audience, parked himself in front of a groovalicious band in the middle of the Plaza and did what we all need to do: he danced "like no one was watching." He was entertaining - and i'm sure had a blast!

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Love this quote from Andre Benjamin of Outkast, from link below:

“Ten or 11 years ago I became a vegan, and it was because when we first came out (in 1994), you know, I was doing the drinking and smoking and all of that and felt terrible. You look in the mirror and you’ll be like, ‘Man, you’re really going down the drain.’ So I had to stop it.

“I go to Whole Foods at least twice a week because I like to cook. I cook a lot of broccoli. I love broccoli. I learned how to make the split-pea soup that they make here so I make it a lot. And when my son’s (Seven, who’s 8) in town, him and his little friends come over to the house, and I’ll try to experiment and make something. ...

“It’s funny. People think that Erykah (Badu, the R&B singer, his ex-girlfriend and mother of Seven) made me eat a certain way. And made me dress a certain way. But actually that was the reason I met her, because I was already that way.


http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/entertainment/movies/15342546.htm?source=rss&channel=kansascity_movies

22 comments:

Dori said...

Awesome market! Open markets like this are the thing that intrigues me most in the world! You really caught the spirit of my post today in your comment, ooo marriage for your England sis... big step for her oldest.

I would have loved to dance with the little guy, how fun!

So you lived in my sister midwestern state Illinois as a shake and bake eating, pink bunny winning, belly button showing - :) - little girl?

Vicki's Vegan Vice said...

sounds & looks like such an interesting market experience -- i love soaking it all in. was that swiss chard? whata a leader andre is!

pinknest said...

ooooh all that fresh fruit and veggies! i love markets.

Shananigans said...

Rainbow chard has to be one of the prettiest vegetables out there, too bad I hate it. Hippie kids, those are my kinds of peeps! Maybe I need to relocate…

Anonymous said...

I just love farmers' markets! That one looks particularly fun

Marathon Someday said...

Nice pictures! I think it's very cute that Andre likes broccoli. You'd never think, would you?

meesh said...

That looks like it was a wonderful experience at the farmers market. They used to have a NYC version of this down at Union Square every week. Lots of interesting people and always a band or two to peruse produce to. :)

I love the little dancing kid! I may have to go home and dance around the living room tonight. Wheeee!

Anonymous said...

What beautiful produce. Lately I've been so in love with all the delicious colors. Everything is so vibrant and pretty.

Everyone should take a lesson from that little kid and dance like no one is watching every now and then!

Tiffany said...

Hi Kleo! I just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Tiffany and I live in Arcata! I love these farmer's market pics. I was there on Saturday so I was looking to see if I made it into any of them. I think our farmer's market is one of the greatest things about Arcata. Did you see all the giant heirloom tomatoes? I got quite a few and just ate them alone with a bit of salt. They were delicious!

funwithyourfood said...

YAY for outcast and farmers markets ;)

Teddy

MeloMeals said...

Finally! I have been trying to comment for a couple of days now and blogger has ignored me!! I totally forgot all that I wanted to say...

Lovely pics here.. rainbow chard is my favorite.. and the market looks soo cool

Jody from VegChic said...

I've got to head to farmer's market around here. I always have the best of intentions, but never get to it...so busy on the weekends.

The one you were at looks super cool!

How is is that about Outkast?

laura k said...

The farmer's market looks like so much fun--shopping and an entire cultural experience all together. That's the kind of place I could stay all day long, if they would let me...

What a great quote from Andre. Very inspiring!

Kuntal Joisher said...

andre 3000 from outkast is a hack and disgrace in name of veganism.. he eats vegan food but flaunts alligator skin belts.. and fur and runs an apparel company selling the FUR.. what a bozzo!!! Outkast is a SELL-OUT.. a convenient pathetic vegan..

Isil Simsek said...

Lovely greens! I love farmer markets and visit them in every opportunity. This place seems to be really interesting.

Anonymous said...

The Rainbow Chard looks so pretty. Loved all the farm market pics. Looks like a fun place to visit. Eclectic atmopshere and fresh produce? What more could you ask for :)

madeinalaska said...

isn't arcata great!! my mother and sister in law live there and we always have the best time there! yes you can get an eye full, huh? good times.. happy you got to experice it!

Tiffany said...

Kleo!

Thanks for the wonderful comments and support. I love the pieces of Arcata you are bringing to your blog and I look forward to them each day.

We got married at Elks Head, a few miles south of Patrick's Point. I've always wanted to try Larrupin but I was never sure about their vegetarian selection. How was it?

Wildflower is awesome! Their carrot shakes and anything with tahini dressing rocks!

Tiffany

urban vegan said...

Great title. Great quote. And GRRRRREAT market. Looks so groovy.

Tiffany said...

That picture is actually from our honeymoon. We stayed at a wonderful place right below Brookings, Oregon. It's right below the border and it's so beautiful!

Cherie Anderson said...

I think it's a defensive thought for people to think that someone only went vegan for another person, as in, "that person could never have the ethics to do that him/herself!" Let's give the man some credit! :)
Although my Richard has been heavily influenced by me and made decisions he wouldn't have if I were not around, but he's all the better for it, as are the animals he's not eating. ;)

That is good-looking chard!

Kate said...

Farmers markets are amazing. I missed mine today because of rain and i am so mad because I have to wait a WHOLE WEEK for fresh veggies and fruits. Your market looks very awesome, so many different kinds of people and music. Mine deffenetly does not have anything like that.