San Francisco's Farmers' Market is not Perfect

Sometimes Unnecessary Things Happen there



I was part of the following conversation last week at the Madison Growers stand at the San Francisco Ferry Building Farmers Market. Please note that the basil in question was already sitting in one of those plastic sheaths like the kind they often put plants in at a florists...

Mr. Atallah: "Here, have a [plastic] bag."
Me: "No thank you, I don't want a bag."
Mr. Atallah: "You have to take a bag."
Me: "No, I don't."
Mr. Atallah: "You can't buy it if you don't take a bag."
Me (putting the basil back on the table): "OK, I won't buy it then."
Mr. Atallah: "I don't want to be held responsible for messing you up, with the dirt on the pot."
Me: "I think that's my choice."
Mr. Atallah: "No, it's not."

You might think I am perhaps bending the truth a little here, or exaggerating for comic effect, but I had bumped in to my friend Sean Timblerlake just seconds before this conversation occurred and he'll confirm what I am reporting. That Sean was witness is particularly apt since he runs a series called Eatsdropper on his blog, Hedonia that publishes a weekly listing of overheard foodie funnies in the Bay area. You should check it out if you don't already.

I think I will be giving Madison Growers a wide berth from now on!

In other local news, here are some other food blogs and internet resources I have come across recently:
Zoomie Station
Six By 10 Tiny Kitchen
i might be wrong
The Yummy Scoop
Foodhoe's Foraging
Local Forage

© 2007 Sam Breach

San Francisco's Farmers' Market is not Perfect