The Community You Find at the Farmers Market
Fancy a happening around a pile of corn?
I usually go to the farmers market with no plan, no list, no recipes in mind. But this past Sunday was different - I needed ingredients to make corn butter.
After a couple warm-up laps past all the stands, I found a pile of corn, still wrapped up in their husks. A couple women were gathered around, finding their pick of the litter and husking right then and there. It was kind of fascinating; I found myself drawn to them and this unspoken rhythm they were in. One of the women noticed my friend and I hovering, and as she made a space for us to join, decided to divulge all of her corn-related secrets. She opened one of the husks in the pile and showed us a couple of dead worms burrowed at the top.
At first, I was grossed out (just like I’m sure most of you were when you read that sentence). But as she went on, she explained that the worms were actually a good sign and it meant this corn was sweet and delicious. The woman on our other side piped up in agreement, furiously shaking her head “yes” and added, “This will be the best corn you’ve ever had in your LIFE”. Our Corn Sensei, eager to share more secrets, proceeded to show us her hack to avoid worms coming home with her haul. She wrapped a plastic produce bag around the top of the husk and expertly cracked the eaten-through piece into the bag to discard. The bag became our communal discard pile.
The other woman spoke up and said, “You know, I’m just an old hippie, but back in my day we would call this a ‘happening’”. It was such a precious comment, I wanted to melt. I loved this happening so much. Now, a week later, I’m craving another happening at the farmers market.
Living in a post-pandemic world, moments of connection with random strangers seem to feel few and far between - months and months of living in isolation have hardened us in a way (not to mention the social anxiety of it all). We more often than not talk ourselves out of saying something to someone we don’t know, whether it be complimenting their outfit, or asking if they’ll watch our stuff while we run to the restroom. For that reason, I’m really extra grateful for the corn happening, and all of the other positive, lovely encounters I’ve had at the farmers market.
Where do you find a sense of community in Los Angeles? What’s been your favorite encounter with a stranger recently? Comment below or reply directly to this email to share your pure, precious moments <3
Ticket to Sarahdise Weekly Event Round Up - Week of 7/31
La Morra Pizzeria x Canyon Coffee - Your dinner plans Wednesday 8/2? Tomato pie. La Morra is popping up around LA with their tomato pies for a very limited time, don’t miss it!
Party Down at the Huntington Gardens with Khruangbin - What a sentence?! Mark Speer of Khruangbin is guest DJ’ing KCRW Summer Nights this coming Saturday 8/5 at the Huntington - for KCRW members only, heads up!
Head in the Clouds Music Fest at the Rose Bowl - HITC is back and it’s going down this weekend at Brookside at the Rose Bowl. Tix still available at the link!
You can find even more ideas for things to do in LA on the TTS TikTok - check it! Thanks for reading and I’ll see you + your inbox next week <3