The Local Market

Davenport's
Davenport's

The rites of the growing season, for me, begin at two places: The Kingston Farmers’ Market (every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Wall Street) and Davenport’s near the traffic circle.

At the former, I’m there to see friends and pick up fresh, in-season foods. At the latter, I’m there to buy local veggies while getting a chance to talk to some real farmers.

Last week I stopped at the stand and picked up some of the best asparagus I’ve ever had. If you hurry, there may be some left. I asked how they grew such great stuff. A woman at the counter, who had the telltale signs of a farmer that included a deep tan and muscular hands and arms, said: “You just have to keep the deer away.”