As the Main St. Farmers Market celebrated TEN years running strong, we took the time last week at our annual all member meeting to show love to the vendors who have been vending since the beginning like Circle S Farms. Forty-five minutes outside of Chattanooga, in Menlo, Georgia, Letty & Curtis Smith have a majestic sustainable, horse-powered farm that provides organically raised produce, eggs and humanely raised beef and poultry for the market.

As their CSA is over for the season, you can still support one of our longest market supporters by purchasing their turnips, carrots or cabbages along with any cuts of beef. Its always a joy to see what interesting items they dig up and bring, like their green peanuts a few months ago which I still have curing in my spare bedroom closet.

While working out a holiday meal that will wow all who attend, let the ingredients speak for themselves and keep the seasoning to a low. Roasted carrots are so naturally sweet that pairing them with the sharp flavor of roasted turnips is a win both for the palate and esthetics. Spend more time making a mess in the kitchen while laughing with loved ones rather than sweating over a stove.

There’s always that mature 10-year old that wants to hold a knife and help chop veggies or the singled out friend of the family who may not know many people so they find themselves comfortably at the cutting board. This and every meal, like our beloved decade-old market, should take a village and everyone plays an important role in ensuring good times are had. Take the time to slow roast, slow down and thank all who make up your village.