每次在週末期間，去花博公園爭艷館參加活動時，都會經過熱鬧的農民市集，假如當天有空的話，我會先繞到市集，走走逛逛，萬一沒時間的話，當然就是直衝爭艷館，免得遲到，這次的活動，我算是早到了，於是，我就先到市集逛逛。
一踏進市集，就能看見一排排擺放整齊的攤位，農友們早已佈置好攤位，他們的叫賣聲此起彼落，好不熱鬧，人們可以看到各式的有機蔬菜、現採水果、手作果醬與各式自家醃製的小菜，真是琳瑯滿目，在一路閒逛下來時，我發現有好幾攤都在賣鳳梨，攤主還把鳳梨切好，方便讓來往的路人們試吃，真是不錯啊！不過，賣鳳梨的攤位，真的好多喔，看來最近應該是鳳梨的產季。
除了農產品，市集中也常有小型的手作甜點烘培坊，還有人賣自製肥皂，也有人分享天然發酵的麵包，還有賣各式甜點及小吃，讓來往路人們，可以邊吃邊逛，我就好想一邊吃花枝丸，一邊喝個現榨的果汁，悠閒地漫步在這裡，不行！邊吃邊逛會破壞我的168節食計畫，我只好趕快撇過頭去，看看有無有趣的事物。
我之前交流過的團隊，也曾經把他們的產品拿到這類的小農市集推廣，而我比較熟的小農市集，其實就是這個農民市集，聽說在台北的小農市集多達八個，大多只有週末才有，要進去市集擺攤，還要抽籤，不是，想要進去就能進去的，說實話，我會喜歡農民市集的原因，不只是因為能買到新鮮安全的食材，更可以和農民直接對話，學習到，甚麼是真正的好食材。
Every time I go to an event at the Taipei Expo Park’s Floral Expo Dome on the weekend, I always pass by the lively farmers' market nearby. If I have time, I like to take a little detour and walk around the market before heading to the event. But if I’m running late, I’ll go straight to the Dome to make sure I’m not late. This time, I actually arrived early, so I decided to check out the market first.
As soon as I stepped into the market, I saw rows of neatly arranged stalls. The farmers had already set up everything and their voices calling out to customers filled the air. It was so lively! There were all kinds of organic veggies, freshly picked fruits, handmade jams, and all sorts of homemade pickled snacks. The variety was amazing. As I walked around, I noticed a bunch of stalls selling pineapples. Some of the vendors had even cut up samples for people to try. Not bad at all! But wow—so many pineapple vendors. I guess it’s pineapple season now.
Besides produce, there were also small stands selling handmade desserts, natural soaps, and even naturally fermented bread. Some sold all kinds of snacks and sweets, perfect for strolling and munching. I honestly wanted to grab some squid balls and sip on fresh juice while walking around the market. But no! That would totally ruin my 16:8 fasting plan. I quickly turned my head away and looked for something else interesting to distract myself.
A team I used to work with had actually brought their products to this kind of farmers’ market before. Among all the markets I know, this one is the one I’m most familiar with. I heard there are about eight farmers' markets in Taipei, and most only run on weekends. To get a spot as a vendor, you even have to enter a lottery. It’s not like you can just show up and set up a booth.
To be honest, what I love about farmers' markets isn’t just the fresh and safe food. It’s also the chance to chat directly with the farmers. You get to learn what real good ingredients are, straight from the source.
