American Countryside Farmer's Market
American Countryside Farmer's Market is located on 15 acres on the south side of the U.S. 20 Bypass, at the corner of State Road 19 and County Road 26 in Elkhart County, Indiana. This farmer's market is one of Elkhart's newest additions having just opened in May 2007. This huge 2-story red barn has a total of 51,452 square feet. The farmer's market features fruits, vegetables, potpourri, fragrant oils, a meat market, dining court, bakery items, demonstration kitchen and entertainment.
These days everyone is trying to stick to a budget during this recent recession we have all encountered. Knowing where to shop and how to get the best deals is important when shopping on a budget for your family. Many country markets have fresh baked goods. These fresh items can cost a pretty penny. Do not be afraid to ask them what they do with their older foods to make room for the newer items. Many places will sell them at a steep discount or possibly give them to you for free. When buying fruits and vegetables, you do not always have to purchase them by the bundle. If all you need is two bananas instead of five, you should only take the two. Certain items are cheaper during the appropriate season. Buy more while they are cheaper and either can the items or freeze them to use during the off season. This will allow you to have great food during at a great price all year round. Some country markets may negotiate the price with you. Cash is king, so be sure to ask if you can get a discount if you pay with cash. This gives you more buying power and possible access to lower prices.
THE UNIQUE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY MARKET
Long ago, there were no large supermarkets. Traveling was difficult for customers. There were no huge trucks to bring large amounts of food to a store. Country stores that were located close to people were most common. Local people were farmers, they wanted a quick trip to the store. Shoppers could walk to the store. If the shoppers were making a lot of purchases, they would drive their horse and wagon to the store. Most shoppers were farmers, they could also bring produce to sell at the store. Merchandise in the store was often local grown or made. That meant produce and meat were fresh.
The stores were smaller than today. Counters and shelving were made of wood. The owner of the store was known by everyone in the community. Typically, the country store was family-owned. The family who operated the store might live upstairs or next door. The children of the family would work in the store after school. As they grew up they would take over more of the work. Eventually, the grown children would be in charge of the store, and the parents would retire. Country stores were often gathering places for people to socialize and communicate.
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