Farmers’ Markets Rock; As Long as You’re not Agoraphobic

For most of my life, the farmer’s market at Union Square in New York City was that crazy, phobia inducing crowd of people walking slowly and in my way, ruining my quick commute to the subway. But now that I know how to throw a healthy meal together, my Organic Freedom (NFP) self is always on the look-out for organic and/or local food and the Whole Foods down the block is much worse at inducing my crowd phobia.

The outdoor food shopping experience is something all foodies enjoy, but it’s especially so for those Funs (SPs) and Smart Freedoms (NTPs) and non phobic Organic Freedoms (NFPs) who can easily adapt to the seasonal availability of food. It’s a little harder for the more structured Classics (SJs), Organic Structures (NFJs) and Smart Structures (NTJs) to find that half the food on their list isn’t there, but if you see the farmer’s market as a supplement to your regular grocery shopping, then — as Barbara Lincoln, our resident foodie and author of this week’s tip advises — it’s the best place to get the healthiest food. Barbara is one of those structured types, so her advice, and her delicious late summer recipe should be helpful and delicious for all.

Barbara Lincoln, Classic Freedom (ESFJ):

One of the questions that I get asked all the time by clients (and sometimes random people at dinner parties) is whether to buy local or organic and when buying local does it have to be organic? Without going into too much policy and government standards/regulations, my simple answer is buy the best possible produce you can with your money. Sometimes that means local from the farm stand and sometimes that means organic from your local supermarket. See the link here: www.sustain.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=7686