The Clayton Farmer’s Market opens its 10th season in roughly two weeks – and new market master A.J. Trujillo is jazzed about that.
“You wouldn’t think that the difference between a head of lettuce that’s local and organic and maybe a generic piece of produce would be so dramatic, but it really is,” she told us. “So the pleasure that a person can take in that experience at a local farmers’ market is what I always enjoy. And it is what drew me to become involved, because I wanted to be able to share that with other people.”
In consequence, Trujillo – who also owns and operates the Loop’s Star Clipper with hubby Ben – jumped at the chance to oversee the Clayton market. It will run each Saturday from May 22 to Oct. 30 from 8:30 a.m. to noon on the Straub’s parking lot on the west side of the supermarket at 8282 Forsyth Blvd.
In particular, Trujillo praised the market’s cleanliness, centrality and “top-tier vendors, really just wonderful, best-of local ag and local artisans that we’re really very proud to showcase.” In reflecting on her new position, in fact, she could scarcely contain her enthusiasm: “It was only really recently and so late in life that I tasted what a tomato should taste like. And it was such – I’m gonna start sounding like a crazy hippy right now – such a rich and joyous and rewarding moment for me, it was eye-opening.”
With other area market managers, Trujillo has brainstormed about innovations like the fairest, safest and best way to offer new products. “We’d like to be able to support local sustainable businesses in general, in addition to our wonderful growers,” she confessed.
Beyond offering its customary wares, the Clayton market will host a number of family-friendly events like a seed swap and a soap-making demo, noted Trujillo. “We’ll be doing a pie-eating contest,” she said. “We’ll be doing a corn-shucking contest. We’ll be doing pumpkin carving. We’ll be getting some really great organizations out to talk to our patrons, like Plants of Merit. I’m hoping to get the Webster Groves Herb Society out to talk about 10 herbs for your garden – all this, again, in recognition of our anniversary.”
In projecting how she’ll pass her Saturdays during the next few months, Trujillo lapsed into an almost poetic reverie. “You’re smelling that freshly baked local artisan bread and seeing those perfect cheeses and looking at those radishes that are almost like jewels,” she mused, “and it’s a perfect morning.”
This article appears in May 1-31, 2010.