Farmer’s markets are popular all over the country. Every spring, these markets open and display a wide variety of locally produced food: fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, milk, baked and canned goods. Some even feature handicrafts, and here in the Pacific Northwest seafood can even be had!

These markets become little communities unto themselves. It’s as if a city returned, if only briefly, to the 19th century — a time when produce came from farmers, not corporate conglomerates. The vendors get to know their customers, and vice-versa; an old-fashioned trust between producer and consumer is forged, getting stronger with each passing week.

These mini communities inspired me to look at the food which brought them into being, and to picture that food in a direct and honest way. No studio setups, no lighting or staging tricks, and no picking out only the “best” examples to show. This is food as it comes from the field, with the blemishes that show it was grown naturally and not in a corporate greenhouse.

If you like these, check back occasionally — I have a large body of work in this series, and I’ll be adding to the gallery from time to time. Or, do it the easy way — click here to sign up for email updates, and I’ll let you know when I add more great pictures!