More Heat
The last two weeks at market have been brutally hot thanks to high humidity pushing the feels like temperature into triple digits by the close of business. Summer wasted no time arriving after the solstice this year, but sometimes I wonder how much people are paying attention. Based upon the questions I’ve fielded for the last few weeks, even from regulars, could the complaining about the weather be a displacement for acknowledging everything else taking place in the world?
There’s a disconnect between wars on other continents and politics in the halls of our nation (except for our patrons who have lost their jobs to DOGE) but chattering on about how hot it is will not alleviate the discomfort. It’s time to direct our attention to being prepared to shop during summer heat waves instead of showing up and griping about crowds as soon as the markets open or finding a good parking spot. And for very late shoppers that bellyache about picked over produce or vendors breaking down a few minutes earlier than usual so they can get into their air-conditioned vehicles after working in the oppressive heat for five or more hours, don’t expect any apologies for any attitude you might encounter. By the close of market, we’re fried like a broken egg on the hot asphalt.
Hot weather is no joke. Heat waves in the United States are the leading cause of weather-related deaths, surpassing more than tornados and hurricanes combined. Unlike violent storms, however, heat is an invisible and silent enemy, especially for agricultural workers who have no choice but to work in the heat if you’re going to eat. Farm workers are 40 times more likely to experience heat-related illnesses and deaths due to the nature of working outdoors. When I talk to my fellow vendors each week and ask how they’re coping they all say the same thing—they start early in the day when it’s cooler, drink lots of electrolyte infused drinks, and wear protective clothing.
The irony of farming through a heat wave is the amount of extra work and energy it takes to make it through. Tomatoes, corn, and peppers are all popping right now as well as cherries, berries, peaches, plums, and apricots. To protect picked crops, they need to be stored in large refrigerators, or they’d be liquified by the time market day rolled around. Those coolers are the ones helping to bog down the grid (unless they run on solar power like the walk-in at Spiral Path Farm) as the nation struggles to stay cool. Farmers in Adams County were firing up their generators during the first heat wave of the season after a major substation fire knocked power out to the rural region just as temperatures peaked. Farming in triple digit temperatures is bad enough without an unexpected disaster that has the potential for significant financial losses due to heat damaged products. All it takes is once, and after that you will always be prepared.
Going to market in a heat wave also requires preparation. I can tell who the real pros are in this business when their crews show up with an extra cooler filled with ice and drinks. When I began taking a spray bottle full of cold water to market years ago it was solely for my own relief, but fellow vendors soon began asking for a spritz and then the customers did so, too. This year I received a few texts prior to market day asking if I was going to take my spray bottle. They’d read the weather forecast. Other vendors pointed out their own gadgets to beat the heat, including a fan with a built-in water mister, cooling towels, bandanas with built-in ice packs, and personal cooling fans. Other tricks include hanging sun blocking curtains on our tents and standing on thick rubber mats to block the heat of the asphalt.
So now that I’ve shared some tips and tricks of how your market vendors beat the heat, I’m going to offer suggestions of my own to make summer markets easier on you, dear customers. Summer has only just begun.
Shop Early—Get your shopping out of the way first thing in the morning. A heat wave is not the time to linger and visit with your friends and neighbors. Remember the pandemic mantra? Shop & Move!
Use the Parking Garage—Here’s the truth, the public parking garage on St. Elmo is closer to the market than the library and it’s free. There’s a gate on Wilson Lane, so you don’t have to walk down to the school’s entrance. Your car will be much cooler when you return from the market and if you can’t carry your groceries that far, leave them at the information tent where you can drive right up to have them loaded in your car by our wonderful staff. That service is also free.
Leave your dogs and babies at home—For the last few weeks I’ve had to watch as pups picked up their paws to avoid the hot pavement while their humans lingered while chatting or listening to the music. In 90° weather the asphalt can reach up to 150°. If you think that’s harsh on paws, children in flimsy sandals and those cute kiddie Crocs are equally miserable. A popsicle isn’t going to relieve their crankiness when their feet are frying. And all those baby bumps that have blossomed—leave them at home. Market time might be family time, but new parents, please, will one of you sit this one out. Young children, especially babies, do not have enough surface area on their bodies to effectively sweat and cool down in humid heat and babies' temperature regulation systems haven’t matured enough to regulate their body temperature in hot weather. And it seems like every stroller these days is black, making their environment even hotter.
Insulated Bags & Coolers—Those Yeti backpack coolers are sweet, but a regular ol’ Trader Joe’s insulated tote will work just fine, especially if you toss in a frozen water bottle. Make sure you’ve got something cool to drink for yourself.