Valiant Vendors, Stalwart Shoppers

I found it challenging to take photos at the farmers' market this morning in the wind and rain, but the weather was far more challenging for the vendors, who braved the elements to set up their stalls and try to keep their offerings from blowing away.

Despite the nasty weather, stalwart shoppers came. Shopping at this market is more than just buying food for the week -- it's a chance to talk with the people who take the risks and do the hard work to grow and harvest the food we eat.

In a world that seems increasingly dominated by faceless, uncaring, multinational corporations, motivated only by ever-increasing profits, farmers' markets are small, fragile, and deeply essential places of sanity.