Last week, Rochester’s historic Public Market was awarded the 2010 America’s Favorite Farmers Market contest, with over 5,200 votes. I’m sure those of you living in cities with terrific public markets are saying, “Wait a minute, ours is best!” And maybe it is. I can’t say I know how the winners were selected, but after reading about the win in our local newspaper we decided to give the market a go.

My sister was in town visiting for the weekend and I thought it would be a fun thing to do together. When she proclaimed “I hate grocery shopping,” I decided to let her stay home with the boys while Mike and I went to the market. Ninety minutes later she was texting me, “When are you coming home?” She couldn’t fathom what I’d be doing at a farmer’s market for 90 minutes.

Truth is, this is no average market. Sunflower stems are three for $1. Baskets of fresh green beans, $1.50. I discovered freshly made pasta with flavors like cheese and cracked pepper and southwest orzo. Pints of fresh strawberries, three for $5. Fresh New York cheddar. Real New York maple syrup. Multigrain bread. Plums are four for $1.

I spent around $40 at the market and got everything pictured here. The most expensive item was the maple syrup at $7. Followed by the fresh pasta and then the olives and cheeses (which were still significantly less than at Wegmans, the famed Rochester grocery chain).

I guess I can add award-winning public market to the running list of reasons why it’s just a great place to raise a family.