Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Theme Day: Open Air Markets

In the San Gabriel Valley there's an open-air Farmers' Market almost every day of the week. (You're going to thank me for this link to Hometown Pasadena's listing of all of them. You might want to bookmark it. I know I keep needing it.)

I've taken many other photos of Farmers' Markets, but this one is timely for today's City Daily Photo theme day because we've been under a Fruit Fly Quarantine. Sellers have been required to cover their produce with netting to keep the flies out. Official inspectors roamed the market recently, making sure the rules were followed. Everyone seemed happy to comply; no one wants to carry that fly out of the quarantine area and back to his farm. And that measly old fly didn't slow business down one bit.

Pasadena has famous open air markets of a different sort, too. Maybe next time.

Check out the other blogs that are participating in today's theme around the world.

22 comments:

Shell Sherree said...

I have quite a penchant for gauzy white fabrics drifting over things, so while I'm sorry about that pesky varmint problem, I quite like the side-effect! Those peaches look juicy and ready to eat. Mmm. {Good luck with your frame hunting at the different sort of markets.}

irinapictures said...

Here peaches are cheaper. Interesting side effect of theme day photos today )))

Julie said...

That was my question, Petrea when I saw the netting. I gather the infestation is only a new problem.

I like all types of peaches but my absolute favourite is the white peach which has juice that runs down your arms as you bite into it. Delicious.

Kate said...

Who doesn't love peaches! Those in your photo look ripe, plump, and juicy. Too bad about the varmints. Hope the quarantine works!

Jean said...

Love the photo; sorry about the quarantine. (By the way, here peaches are cheaper, too.)

wv: ingest

Mister Earl said...

Petrea: Can you explain how the market is handling the fruit-fly problem? I'm confused. If there's a quarantine, I would think that there would be a ban on bringing fruit into or out of the area. But maybe the only concern is that the local flies will be taken out of the area rather than other flies being brought in. It just seems strange that if residents are not supposed to move fruit out of the area, that a farmers market would be allowed where people can take fruit anywhere they want after they buy it.

Jilly said...

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this and thought 'oh this is taking hygiene too far! Of course I now understand. Something new I learned today and a lovely photo too - not to mention the peaches.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

I hope that the FF problem is resolved quickly. Your area produces so much it is bound to be hurt by the quarantine.

Like Shell, I do like the look of the gauzy fabric.

Petrea Burchard said...

The quarantine area is small--an 89 mile circle. And the methods for dealing with the fly are advanced. These guys know what they're doing and they'll eradicate that fly quickly, if they haven't already. Yes, Julie, it's a relatively new problem--a few weeks.

Earl, the fly was found in Altadena, I believe. It's no big deal if people want to bring fruit into the area but it is a big deal to take it out. Many of the farmers at the market come from outside the 89-mile area. Not wanting to lose business, they comply with the netting rules so they can bring their produce in and take it out again.

I don't know if any quarantined produce was being sold, but I don't think so, as I think that's against the rules of the quarantine. I don't believe people were buying quarantined produce and taking it wherever they wanted to. That would defeat the purpose, wouldn't it?

I can attest to the fact that the peaches are delicious. You can get cheaper ones in the grocery stores, but they were picked many days before when they weren't ripe and they're not as good. These ripened on the branch instead of in the truck.

Susan Campisi said...

Those peaches look sublime. You're right, I must thank you for that link to the list of local farmers' markets. Very handy! Now that it's not 105 degrees, I feel so fortunate to live in Pasadena with all its bounty, even with the fruit flies.

ben wideman said...

I had no idea! I noticed the netting at last week's south Lake FM, but didn't think twice about it for some reason.

Petrea Burchard said...

I think it's going to be 105 again tomorrow. Or more.

Ben, it does make a nice decoration.

Kim said...

Oh how I wish all markets here had to abide by such a rule! I had THE WORST fruit fly problem a number of months ago. I finally got rid of them, but it was hard. Now I bag my bananas at home and monitor the fruit bowl and composting bin carefully. No further problems.

Those peaches look wonderful, even through the netting. Super market shot for today!
-Kim

mark said...

Those peaches make me want to mix up a batch of my homemade ice cream. I will make plenty for everyone. The secret is to use real vanilla beans in the batter.

mark said...

ps Tree-ripened peaches are fabulous.

Vanda said...

OMGm those peaches are gorgeous!

Greg Sweet said...

I seen a horse fly, I seen a dragon fly and I seen a house fly. Why, I even seen an elephant fly. But I ain't NEVER seen no fruit fly!

Virginia said...

I"m craving peach cobbler.
V

Unknown said...

Time flies like an arrow.
Fruit flies like a banana.

Petrea Burchard said...

Kim, the fruit fly officials are concerned about here is an invasive pest that can kill entire crops. I hope that's not the one you had in your fruit bowl! It looks like they've got ours under control, I'm glad to say.

Mark: Vanda, Virginia and I will have some of that ice cream with our peach cobbler. Greg and Cliff will provide the entertainment.

lewi14@gmail.com said...

What giant peaches! Wonderful shot, Petrea. Are peaches characteristical of this area?

Petrea Burchard said...

Yes, Steffen. All the foods at the Farmers' Markets are grown locally. Depending on the season we get peaches, plums, grapefruit, oranges, nuts, apples and all kinds of vegetables. We never get bananas!