Nothing spells a change in season quite as much as the May long weekend, unless it is the re-opening of the Meaford Farmers Market.

In just a few days, we will once again be able to meet friends and neighbours at the Farmers Market and enjoy products grown in our area. There is nothing quite like the rapport which can develop between a consumer and the person who grows food.

We depend on each other: one for the quality and wholesomeness of food, the other for his or her livelihood. Eating and shopping locally is the new mantra in our social consciousness. It does make sense to return money most of us earn locally, back into our own community.

Still, the best reason to shop at the Farmers Market is that it is a nice social occasion and you can buy some great food from terrific farmers. And as far as labelling is concerned, that bit of dirt clinging to the radish roots is clearly identifiable as Grey County soil.