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An elderly Black grandpa in a cream cardigan holds a Siamese cat beside a table of tomatoes, carrots and lemons. 16 / 23

Grandpa Went to the Market for Tomatoes. He Brought Along a Shopping Buddy.

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Wooden tables are loaded with ripe tomatoes, bright carrots, lemons, cucumbers and baskets of apples, and Grandpa Walter is taking his time browsing. He wears a cream cable-knit cardigan over a plaid shirt, glasses perched on his nose, and he holds Sapphire snugly against his chest with both arms. The Siamese rests her dark paws on his sleeve and looks out at the produce with steady blue eyes, perfectly at ease. Potted herbs, a canvas tote, a crate of avocados and a wooden fence round out this small, homey neighborhood market.

Bringing a cat to a market is unusual, and for most cats, crowds and noise can be stressful. If a cat is calm and used to being carried, a short visit in a secure carrier or harness is a safer option than holding it loose, since a sudden fright can lead to scratches or an escape. It is also good to know which produce is unsafe for pets. Onions, garlic, leeks and chives are toxic to cats, and grapes and raisins should be avoided. Citrus peel and leaves can upset a cat's stomach. When in doubt, keep produce out of reach.

For many older adults, local markets are a pleasant routine, offering fresh food, a bit of walking and friendly conversation with neighbors and growers.

Sapphire is not shopping for vegetables, but she is certainly enjoying the tour. Walter seems prouder of his cat than of anything on the tables.

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