Get Down to the Farmer’s Market

Do you know someone who gleefully thrusts fruit and vegetables at you to taste?  They burst into the office Monday morning, talking about their great finds at their local farmer’s market, practically shaking you to try their latest fruit or veggie.  When you submit to trying their find, they stare at you with wide eyes, relishing your every chew.  And when you finish and smile, they nod and smile proudly as if they invented that tomato or apple.

Are you that person?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone.  I too count down the days until the first farmer’s market finally opens and force food samples onto people who don’t really care about my peach.  But once you have farmer’s market produce, you begin to loathe the sad imitators at supermarkets.

Why are farmer’s markets so special?  Well, you can be sure that your produce was picked very recently, making it tastier than produce that may have been picked weeks ago.  If you’ve ever had a bite of something straight from the garden, you know how incredible it tastes and smells.  Farmer’s markets are the next best thing to a dirt covered sweet pea.

Most produce will be grown in a sustainable, organic fashion.  If you don’t see an organic certification seal, ask the farmer directly how they grow their produce.  Organic certification can be expensive, so while many farmers practice organic farming, they may not have an official certification.

Farmer’s markets also allow you to buy local and contribute to farmers in your state.  Many large-scale farmers are subsidized by the government to grow certain crops.  Small-scale farms aren’t subsidized for growing food in a way that’s sustainable and good for the environment.  This is your chance to support farmers that are doing the right thing.

Farmer’s markets are a great way to feel a sense of community.  At larger-scale markets, you’ll find local food vendors, street musicians, crafts, and more offerings than veggie stands.  If you have children, farmer’s markets are a wonderful way to expose them to a lifetime of understanding where their food comes from.  It’s also a great reminder for all of us to appreciate eating seasonally while supporting our community and environment in the process.

To find a farmer’s market near you, check out this state directory of farmer’s markets.