Sizzlin’ Hot
No, I’m not talking about burgers and sausages on the grill. This is the annual reminder that when it gets hot outside we all need to adjust our weekly market routines.
Last week as the vendors were packing up a couple became quite upset that everyone was getting ready to leave and it wasn’t 1:30 pm. I was too fried to exert the energy needed to snap at them, instead offering the Are you stupid? stare as I loaded coolers and tables into the van.
Over 75 million people in the United States will be exposed to extreme heat this week. Lahaina has burned to the ground. The Gulf of Mexico is as warm as a hot tub. Over a hundred people have died in heatwaves this year as almost 5,000 rainfall and heat records have been broken in the United States. And someone had the audacity to complain about the farmers packing up at 1:24 pm last week? When I pulled out the thermometer in the van read 96 degrees. All the vendors were baked to a crisp and wanted nothing more than to get in their vehicles and crank up the air conditioning for the ride home, a respite before the unloading and ongoing farmwork that comes with a market day.
The forecast for the coming weekend puts temperatures back into the 80’s and 90’s range so let’s go over a few things that will make your trip to the market more enjoyable.
Shop Early This does not mean showing up an hour before market opens and expecting to shop. The markets open at 9:00 am. Yes, it will be crowded as most people in the summer do their shopping in the first few hours of opening. In addition to beating the heat, you will also have access to items which tend to quickly sell out. And after withering in the heat for several hours the condition of the produce isn’t exactly at its finest, which brings me to…
Come Prepared The heat is hard on fruits and vegetables. Unless you want stewed tomatoes by the time you get home, consider an insulated bag with an ice pack to keep delicate produce in peak condition. Lately I’ve seen plenty of folks toting around a chilly bin on wheels. My favorite gadget for keeping ripe produce from bruising during shopping is a plastic shower caddy with separate compartments. The air can flow around the produce while it’s safely protected from jostling and rubbing. If you can’t make it in the first few hours to shop, consider pre-ordering with your favorite vendors. Many of us still offer this option after the pandemic.
Protect Your Babies On this subject, I mean both two-legged and four-legged. Last week the haute couture for canines were cooling vests. Those fancy things don’t protect their precious paws from the pavement which can reach blistering temperatures. When it’s this hot, leave the dogs at home. Similarly, young children and babies have a difficult time with heat as they sweat less thus reducing their ability to stay cool. The instances of angry cries of miserable babies strapped in a dark colored plastic stroller increase along with the temperature. They do not want a berry. They do not want a popsicle. They’re uncomfortable and need to get out of the heat.
Protect Yourself Hats! Sunscreen! Lightweight clothing that blocks out the sun. Parasols are making a comeback. When I see someone frying their bald head, bare arms, or the sensitive backs of their legs I whip out my sunscreen and offer it to them. Protect the biggest organ on your body—your skin—from the damaging rays of the sun or you’ll be sending your dermatologist’s kids to college in thirty years, if not sooner. Skin cancer is no joke.
Stay Hydrated During extreme heat thinking that you’ll simply pick up a juice or iced coffee while shopping is not staying hydrated. In 90 degrees, you should be drinking a quart of water per hour. That’s 32 ounces. Fun fact: milk is even more hydrating than plain water because it contains the sugar lactose, some protein, and some fat, all of which help to slow the emptying of fluid out of the stomach keeping you hydrated longer.
Be Kind When people are hot they can get cranky. Yes, there are lines during the busiest hours. As vendors we do our best to keep things rolling along. Just like in extreme cold, our credit card systems don’t like extreme heat and might shut down unexpectedly at a busy time. Bring cash when the temperatures are extreme. If you see someone in distress due to the heat, please alert a vendor or market personnel immediately so they can be aided. Remember, in a few more months we’ll all be complaining about the cold.