My time in Gascony as flown by. There has been so much to do and see. We have been to various markets almost every day, either to shop for something to cook or to see and learn. What amazes me is the size and scale of these “small” open markets. They are held in various villages through out the week. Every day of the week, within “reach”–say, 20 miles–there is a market to visit and shop at. And people do. All ages, all kinds. This is a very real, very important part of French life. What really blows me away is not only the quality and the quantity, but the equitability of what is on offer. Many of the stalls sell the same, or similar products within proximity of each other. One vies for trade by being the best at a few things, or having a selection just slightly different, or offering a slightly better service or banter than their “competitor”. It is common to buy meat from two or three different butchers because they each carry something just a little different. This is not one-size-fits-all supermarket shopping. This is an amazing choice of amazing food. All this was really driven home to me as I helped prepare 100 kilos of  Boudin Noir for a week’s marketing. That is a lot of blood sausage! For sale at 3 or 4 markets. The Chapolards know they will sell out. Their competition also sells Boudin Noir. These are small village markets. Lavardac has around 2000 people, Nerac around 3500 people. In the States you would find very few people in 5500 to even sniff at Boudin Noir, let alone purchase and consume it. Yes, it is a cultural thing. But, the same can be said of charcuterie, raw milk cheeses and the amazing assortment of fresh meat cuts.

For me, this is a revelation. I have participated in Farmers Markets in Ireland and the States. There is nowhere near this sort of traction. But there could be and should be. If we want to really have something of value in our US Farmers Markets we need to open our minds to what’s already being done so, so well in places like I’ve been hanging out this week. And we need to not just understand the scale, and range of products being offered, but the pride in which these producers and purveyors are selling it. I am in awe.

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