Why Shop At A Farmers Market?

We've said this before ~ linked, blogged, tweeted it too, but here we come again. Even adjusting for natural hype, there is no denying that the market continues to pick up, steadily developing a broader vendor and customer base. We'd like to more of both, vendors and shopper, especially local. Is anyone is still asking, "Why shop at a farmers market?" If so, here are some answers...

1. Buying Locally

Buying from your local farmer or home grower supports local agriculture and the local economy. This means that the food you are eating comes from nearby, and does not require us to waste lots of energy and petroleum to ship the food half-way around the world. You are eating food in your own environment, where it has perfectly-created nutrients for your specific climate and region. You are also supporting the environment by reducing the usage of fossil fuels.

2. Affordable Organic Fruits & Veggies

You can find a variety of fresh, organic produce at more affordable prices than in a supermarket. There are also many farmers that carry products that are not technically “organic,” (as this is a costly and often bureaucratic-heavy process), but have many low-priced foods that are pesticide and herbicide free. The advantage at a farmers market is that you can actually talk to the farmer, learn about their methods, and then decide for yourself and in most cases they will allow you to come and visit their farm

3. Supporting Your Local Economy & Farmers

You are supporting human beings and the local economy, not massive agribusiness GMO food conglomerates. Not only will your money be staying in your area, but you will happily please the farmer that worked to grow that food. Your belly will remember the farmer’s smile as they handed you that juicy peach.

4. Eat Seasonally

By shopping at the local farmers market, you will eat seasonally, fresh and ripe. This is another great way to increase your overall health. Supermarkets offer too much variety and the food is picked before it has ripened decreasing the vitality. The body does not need to be eating imported pineapple in the dead of winter!

5. Safer Foods

Food from your local farmers market is generally safer. Remember the recent outbreaks of E. coli in bagged spinach? These things happen mostly in large industrial settings, where business-men work to mass produce food, preserve it and bag it in mass amounts.

6. Fresher Fruits & Veggies

The food from your local farmers market is, quite frankly, fresher. Because it was grown locally, there is a good chance that the apple you buy from the farmer was picked a few days ago. This is virtually impossible in a big supermarket.

7. Great Variety

There is usually an amazing variety of fruits and veggies at your local farmers market. Each farmer may have his own method for growing tomatoes or peppers. This is something that never happens at a grocery store.

8. Better Taste

There is no doubt that locally-grown foods just simply taste better. You will never be able to eat a carrot from the grocery store again!

9. It’s Healthy!

There’s just no way around it, eating fresh, locally-grown fruits and veggies are great for your health. For example, honey, sold at most local farmer markets (not at the Mountainair Farm & Garden Market yet ~ but keep watching for it) has just the right components for allergy prevention in your neck of the woods, not to mention it’s tasty!

10. Most Importantly — it’s Fun!

We stated it in the beginning, but farmers markets are just plain fun for the whole family. Meeting your local community is an excellent way to feel connected to the world around you, increasing health for body, mind and spirit.

Why Shop At A Farmers Market?