Saturday mornings at the Thomasville Farmers Market are special. There’s just something about the smell of fresh produce, the hum of conversation and the familiar faces that show up rain or shine. But Saturday before last, one small moment stood out in a big way.
I was chatting with a young produce enthusiast about our Eat the Rainbow program. I explained that she could use her Rainbow Bucks to buy fresh produce from our vendors and told her it was a great chance to try something new. She wrinkled her nose.
I admitted I had only eaten a tiny sliver of a pickled beet once and was absolutely sure I didn’t like beets. I told her I understood that it’s hard to try new things, even as a grown-up.
That’s when it happened.
She looked at me quite seriously and said, “I might try them... if you do.”
We locked eyes for a second, then shook hands. A real deal. No turning back. We agreed to give beets a fair shot.
It was such a simple exchange, but it reminded me how powerful encouragement can be, no matter our age. Sometimes, all it takes is a little trust and a tiny handshake to push us out of our comfort zones.
True to my word, I roasted my single beet using instructions from the very farmer who grew it. And I must admit—beets are pretty great. They made me think that if a potato and a carrot had a baby that was slightly undercooked, and was covered with salt, pepper, and sweet cream butter… well, that’s what a roasted beet tastes like.
As for my brave little beet buddy? She came back last Saturday and gave me the full report. With a scrunched-up face, she said very politely: “I didn’t really like beets.” And honestly? That’s okay. She tried something new, and that’s what mattered most. We both tried something new!
Here’s to trying new things, to bravery in small packages, and to our precious community of farmers and marketgoers that make moments like this possible.