At this year's start of the Market last Tuesday, I was reminded of the importance of connecting with the people who eat the vegetables we grow. Even though the hours of farming are long and the work is hard, and it takes a lot of effort to organize the Market, seeing families without access to fresh, healthy vegetables enjoy the end result reinforces the importance of the work we do.

At this first Market of the season, seeing so many familiar faces made it feel like a reunion of sorts, with Outreach Market participants checking in on us to see how the farm fared over the winter and spring. I don't know everyone at the Market, but several participants made strong impressions on me last year: the man who brings us homemade snacks made out of our vegetables every week ("It's important to feed the people who feed you!"), the woman who asked me for gardening advice last summer ("I grew so much!") and the woman who, on the last day of the season, made scarves for all of the Outreach Market workers to keep us warm on the farm throughout the winter.

Market participants help each other out as well. Translating for one another when English isn't their first language, exchanging recipes with the strangers while waiting in line and encouraging each other to take some risks and try some new vegetables while picking out their shares. Each greeting, each interaction at the market last Tuesday was like being reunited with old friends even though we only cross paths briefly, once a week for thirteen weeks. During the height of the season, it's important to find time to reflect on the work we are doing on the farm and at the Outreach Market. I hope that the next twelve weeks continue to be as warm, kind and positive as last Tuesday was.

Youth Crew Members Beverly & Maureen and the Market Asst., Annie at last week's Outreach Market.