Farmer's Market - Nicollet Mall

It is that time of year again where local farmer's, bakers, nut vendors, and florists galour set up their tables and tents to sell their wares. The Farmer's Market on Nicollet Mall occurs every year after Mother's Day, on Thursdays until about September. These folks are out there rain or shine. Let me tell you, it's mostly rain these days. I actually lucked out and had a great day to go out and snap some pictures.

You'll notice that this pictures have a bit different hue/saturation/coloring in general. On my phone, i have a Toy Camera app. Most people have the Hipster app but I have the Toy Camera. What these apps do is basically apply "Photoshop" filters instantly to the pictures taken. The Toy Camera app combined with my on-the-fly shots that ended up being a little off-kilter.



Enough about the apps and back to the Farmer's Market. Of course there are tons of Farmer's Markets all over MN happening this summer (and there are some that go year round!). Typically Farmer's Markets set-up in parking lots, random fields, or in designated areas year after year. What I like about Nicollet Mall's market is, i can walk outside my building and take a nice break walking up and down the streets. Musicians are out, playing their music, and everyone else is out enjoying the day.



You might think, well, i can stop at the grocery store and get the same type of produce, but i beg to differ. Fresh herbs are sold at an insanely good deal. Did i mention they are fresh? Not in some plastic clamshell package hanging on a hook in the store... You actually have the option of planting these herbs in a nice pot, putting it on your kitchen window sill and having fresh herbs right at your finger tips.



Not only that, but you get live music while you shop.

For those who complain about bringing fruit to work, how it's messy, it over ripens in your lunch bag while you are sitting on the bus for 45 minutes, the apple rolls out of your bag across the floor... have no fear, you can always count on fresh fruit at the Farmer's Market. Often times these folks are setting up and selling as early as 7:30 am. It could even be earlier, but that just happens to be the time that i get to work.

I can guarantee you that the local bakers are out there selling scones, muffins, and fresh bread first thing in the morning. A lot of people stop and buy a scone before heading into the land of skyways and buildings. Really not a bad deal if you think about it.

I look forward to sunny Thursdays. I head outside. Take in the hustle and bustle of shoppers. Street musicians playing amazing music even though it looks like they just rolled out of the local homeless shelter. On a side note, i love having my husband with when there are street musicians around. He knows music instruments (particularly saxophones). The majority of street musicians look like they don't have a dime to their name, but if you knew about instruments, it would make you wonder if maybe it's just a disguise and they are really a professional musician... Of course i'm probably wrong. But. You never know! :)