Believe it or not, we wouldn’t be much without rot.

Cheese, sourdough bread, kombucha, and even beer require it to become their tasty true form! Fermentation happens when microbes—like bacteria and yeast—break down food components, creating new flavors and beneficial compounds. Unlike the strict biochemical definition, food fermentation can happen with or without oxygen. Want to get into the nitty gritty of fermentation? Check out this article from Stanford University that spells out the scientific process.

At the market, expect to see a full line-up of fun activities and ways to make your Labor Day weekend funky! From pickles to mushrooms to kombucha SCOBYs to cheese — there’s no better time to kick-off a long and funky weekend at Funky Ferments Fest!

Annnnnnnd, if you haven’t voted for us as your favorite market for the American Farmland Trust’s annual contest, now’s the time! Contest runs through September 30th.

Check out more of this week’s Fresh Market Picks & Vendor Line-Up in our Farmers’ Market E-Newsletter!