“Let food be thy medicine.” Hippocrates cira 431 B.C.

Look at the wonderful things of nature. Nature speaks to our senses through the green fields, passing clouds, falling rain, babbling brooks, and buds and flowers. The rays of light from the sun and streams of water are a joy to the universe. Think of the fair earth’s wonderful adoption to the needs of man. The elements refresh the earth — a hymn to nature.

We are fortunate to have gardeners who have the spirit of labor and love of tilling the soil. Farmers are immersed in nature. In the summer, from sunrise to sunset, they are outdoors planting and harvesting crops. The germination of good seed sown by the farmer, air, water and sunshine supply the farmer’s market everywhere with freshness and variety that tease the taste buds. Local growers sell their produce and craftsmen also have booths.

On Saturday morning the farmer’s market offers a bazaar of fruits and vegetables. I like the fresh sweet corn, the melons you can smell from far away and I drool over the just-picked strawberries and blueberries.

I relish the beauty of the perfect fresh vegetables rich color, fragrance and texture. To name a few: there are early salad items, herbs, spring lettuce, radish, peppers and choy. The summer list includes: green beans, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes and corn. The fall crops are winter squash, broccoli and pumpkins. Vining, climbing and scrambling plants need plenty of room to grow. They seem to reach for the sky.

Luckily there is a love of farming. Eating properly is about the single most powerful move that we humans can make to promote health, reduce obesity and lower the cost of health care. In no period in our history as a nation have Americans been so concerned about the subject of diet and nutrition. The public hungers to keep on the road to health-to enhance our well- being. Wellness is a satisfying relationship with life. This move is to aggressively push to eat more whole, plant-based foods.

Dr. T. Colin Campbell, author of “The China Study” is the foremost science expert in the field of plant-based nutrition. He is working with his son, Nelson, who is coordinating an effort to develop and implement a strategy for promoting the message of pant-based nutrition.

Hippocrates offered compelling evidence that what we put in our mouths has an effect on our health and well-being.

From the time of the “Father of Medicine” (Hippocrates) it has been known that certain foods have disease-preventing and disease healing benefits.

He also said, “He who does not know food, how can he understand the disease of man?”

Every Wednesday and Saturday from May to October, a large group of farmers from throughout Southern Maine gather at the Saco Valley Shopping Center on Spring Street for the Saco Farmer’s Market. Vendors offer a wide variety of produce. Stop by and see for yourself. Also the Saco River Market takes place every Saturday from 9: am to 12:30 pm year round at Pepperell Center, 40 Main Street, Biddeford, Maine. Each community has unique offerings downtown but also cherish the countryside. No matter where you are in this part of Vacationland there is a special much to enjoy during the summer months.

We are inviting you to come visit and enjoy the St. Demetrios Greek Heritage Festival at 186 Bradley Street, Saco. We look forward to serving you this weekend, July 7, 8, and 9.