I used to walk by this little vegetable stand nearly everyday in the summer as a young girl. I would drive by, bike by, roller blade by when I was a teen-ager. I never paid much attention to what they were selling; it was more like a landmark. It was also something I expected to see arrive every summer and retreat every fall.
Last summer we moved to the house next to this vegetable stand. That is how we describe where our house is to natives of our town. “You know where the vegetable stand is? Our house is next door.” Last summer it was great bringing out my $.75 for a head of broccoli to make for dinner. Our wonderful neighbors who run the stand insisted that we not pay for things from their garden. Every so often we will get some tomatoes or peaches. DH made a fantastic peahc cobbler last seaon. It’s like having a farmer’s market right next store.
The stand is run on the honor system. No one is sitting out there making sure patrons pay. There is a sign posted letting people know how ashamed they should be if they don’t put their dollar in the can. I don’t know the exact wording. Can you believe people stop and not pay? It’s sad.
This vegetable stand has been up and running for around 30 years. I think this is a great testament to small town life. With the economy crash and record high unemployment rates people are getting back to the basics. Times are tough but there are lessons to be learned for all age groups. The vegetable stand equals simplicity to me, home grown vegetables and sharing with the community. I love seeing the cars stop on our busy road to pick up tomatoes or eggplant for dinner.
We started our own garden this year and unbelievably it did very well. It was a great feeling to pluck off a broccoli head and serve it for dinner. I didn’t track how much money we saved, but it made us feel better- healthier.
Growing our own veggies and fruit spills over into hand made cards, riding bikes instead of driving, going to consignment shops, and reusing items that friends had or likewise. We do not always need, new, new, new. Crai.gs list and e.Bay always had the right idea. Now these types of sites are more popular than ever. The barter system is in full effect as well.
I came home one afternoon after work and saw that DH had hung all his clothes out to dry and was plucking a zucchini from our garden. It made me proud; I even had tears in my eyes. We have gone into these changing times with our eyes open. Min Man doesn’t need a million toys. I do not need to buy that new dress if I can borrow from a friend and hanging out at home is so much better than wasting money at a bar or restaurant.
The time we have together is way more valuable than anything else. Who knew I could come to all these conclusions from a little old vegetable stand.
What a great vegetable stand! How amazing that you moved in next door…definitely something that you wouldn’t see in a big city.
I think you should print out this story and leave it on the stand for your neighbors to find. Knowing how much their stand has impacted your life would make up for all of the drive-bys they’ve had over the years.
I love this.
Aw, I love it… it makes me miss where I grew up.
What a cool little vegetable stand and a great post. I like Kym’s idea of printing it out for your neighbors.
I agree with Kym. It would feed someone’s soul to know that their stand has nourished you so.
I love the vegetable stand – and sharing with neighbors gives you the most wonderful feeling of community.
We have a pumpkin stand like that in our town every year! I love it! And way to go on the garden! I can’t wait to have a yard and grow our own produce!!
That’s awesome! I have always wanted a veggie garden…but dont even know where I would start!
I love the vegetable stand! Great job changing with the times. It can be a difficult adjustment, but you make it seems so easy. Good for you!
*HUGS*
There’s nothing like fresh homegrown produce.