The Kindness That Is

I was still indecisive even when I pulled out of the driveway this morning. The sky was threatening with rain and it was a long journey from one end of Canberra to another. However, if I don’t go out now, I’ll have to wait until next week. By then, I might’ve changed my mind. So off I went to the weekly Capital Region Farmers Market in EPIC. Having lived in Canberra for 5.5 years, out of which one year was particularly near to the market, I’ve never been there. We’ve been to a couple of moderate-sized markets and these trips had always been quick as there really isn’t much to see or buy. We’ve always shopped at large supermarket like Woolworths and occasionally at a local grocer that stocked local produce. Lately, I’ve only managed Woolworths.

It’s tricky trying to strike a balance between eating healthily and buying affordable food while supporting the local farmers. But I realised that I should at least check out the market to find out what they have to offer and whether it’s worth shopping in the future. Half an hour later, I was at the market and it was surprisingly huge and crowded. Everything is exceptionally fresh. Potted plants, particularly vegetables and herbs, are snapped up quickly. I picked up two bunches of coriander that looks fresher than those I usually buy from the supermarket. There are vegetables, fruits, meats, fish, breads, cakes, eggs, pasta and such - the usual lot. Some produce are slightly expensive by a few cents but some are no different from the supermarket price. Some produce are organic, grown in hydroponic or in a green house. But mostly importantly, they are farmers and producers from the ACT or nearby region.

I have a particular shopping habit. First, I look at what’s on offer and then the price. Unless I want something badly, the final deciding factor is how friendly the grocer looks. It’s silly and sometimes difficult to tell but I wouldn’t approach any stall that looks like they are about to slaughter those that dare to even look.

I came upon this stall, manned by a few elderly farmers. The lemon looks freshly-plucked from the tree. Avocados are sitting quietly in styrofoam boxes. I didn’t think I need avocado this week but it looks so beautiful. I’m sure I can make lunch with it. I looked at the farmer who was serving some customers. In flannel shirt, stout and a head of gray hair, he looks friendly. Definitely friendly enough. He looked up at me and I said hi. He smiled and replied softly, “How’s it going?”, a typical Aussie greeting, before returning his attention to the customers. I picked an avocado and waited patiently until he finishes with them.

He looked at the avocado and then he looked at me.

“Ah, this is free for you.”

Coming from a society where the fresh food market is the one place that never offer things for free (perhaps at dirt cheap price), I was surprised. Not accustomed to such offer, I held up my hand that was cupping a bunch of loose coins. I smiled and said, “Are you sure?! Let me give you some money.”

He gestured at me with another smile, “Yes, yes. Take it. It’s free.”

I was a little bit embarrassed because another lady was also looking at some avocados. I hope she’ll be treated as kindly too. I gave him the biggest smile and a grateful thanks before I went on my merry way.

1 Nov 2008 | Filed in diary 

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