The hunt is on. Every year, at the first hints of spring, greens at the market become a big draw. After months and months of snow, nothing says happiness and relief like a bag of fresh mixed greens from a local farm. Yet early in the spring, greens are scarce and finding them at the market can be like a well-planned scavenger hunt.

Last Saturday was particularly competitive. First, here’s my disclaimer: I don’t think spring is here yet. Sure, my lawn is free of snow, a weekend ago the thermometer read 50 degrees, and several maple syrup farms are tapping, but it’s the first week of February!

Nonetheless, fresh greens are at the market. While it seems early, this could be the new normal. Farmers are using more and more innovative methods to grow fresh vegetables year-round, despite Vermont’s typically unforgiving winters. The market loves it. Even with this year’s winter(less) season, people are going crazy for fresh spinach and lettuces.

At last Saturday’s winter market in Rutland, my “spinach and lettuce” hunting skills were rusty with winter disuse. When I walked into the market, my first stop was at Breezy Meadows Orchards. I chatted and moved on, not realizing I had missed a gold mine of fresh greens. Across the market, at Foggy Meadow Farm, the guy in front of me managed to snag the last bag of micro greens and then sheepishly grinned while I pined. Thankfully the farm still had bags of curly kale.

It was only 11:30 a.m., but the hunt for greens was heating up and perhaps already over. I rushed over to Greg Cox at Boardman Hill Farm. No luck. Greg had sold out of spinach long before my arrival. As we chatted, person after person rushed in asking about spinach. I felt their pain. Greg, in his good natured way, joked about auctioning off next week’s round of new produce. He promised to have more spinach next week and hopefully will have some bags of mesclun mix as well.

On my way out I passed by Breezy Meadows Orchards again, and for a lark asked if they had any greens. Of course they did, but their booth now had a “sold out of greens sorry” sign hastily attached. If only I had asked when I first arrived!

If you go to the market after 11 a.m., you’ll probably miss all the greens. As a tasty backup plan, grab a baguette from La Oh la la Bakery. Baker Daniel Pol, known for his made-to-order crepes at Rutland’s summer market, offers an assortment of hand crafted breads from ciabattas to semolina loafs. If you sign up for his email list, you can reserve whatever bread you want, and he’ll put it aside for you at the market. No hunting involved.

Despite my lack of greens, last Saturday was a great day at the market. The buzz around new greens was exciting and a reminder that spring, fresh produce, and summer-ripened tomatoes are on their way. Next week, I’ll go to the market with a carefully crafted game plan that can be summarized in two words: arrive earlier. Until then, email me market tips at kris@rutlandfarmandfood.org.

Kris Smith works at the Rutland Area Farm and Food Link and writes Market Watch as a volunteer for Sustainable Rutland.