Many people cannot understand why I would get up early on a Saturday morning to visit a farmers market. However, visiting the local farmers market during the summer and fall harvest times has become a weekly tradition; one I usually share with my mother. Here are some reasons why you should visit the local farmers market in your area. If you do not know where to find a local farmers market, the web is a perfect resource tool to aid in your search.
Fresh Produce
One of the biggest reasons for buying items at a farmers market is the freshness of the product. Whether I am purchasing zucchini or eggs; the food being sold by local farmers tastes better. The product is being picked or harvested at their peak. When you are purchasing produce items from a supermarket, the product could already have been in shipment for up to week before reaching the destination. The longer an item takes to reach a shelf, the more nutrients can be loss. Fresher food is better for you because the nutritional value has not been lost.
Lower Costs
Since there is no middleman who supplies the supermarkets with the produce, food items being sold at a farmers market are usually cheaper. Farmers will sell items at whole sale prices. Many times farmers will even throw extras into the bag to make certain that they are passing on the best deal to the customer. The farmer who sells food items directly to a customer will actually be able to keep more of the profit.
Safer Choices
Buying food locally means knowing where the food is being harvested. There is just something about known exactly which farm that food is being grown that gives peace of mind. By being aware of which farmers are participating in the local farm market; you will be able to figure out which farms use less pesticides, hormones or antibiotics. Having this type of knowledge will allow you to pick out the safest food choice for you and your family. Local farmers also have a sense of pride of providing the best product to their customers.
Support Your Community
By purchasing food items from a farmers market, you are supporting your community. Farming tends to be a family tradition that is past down from generation to generation. Buying products produced by local farmers honors this tradition as well keeps the money locally which helps smaller communities build a stronger local economy. Many local farms also hire from within the community which also helps build the local economy.
