Photo by Anne Preble on Unsplash
Local farmer’s markets don’t just feature fabulous fresh food, they offer a whole lot more. If you’re not already a regular visitor to the market in or near your community, the following magical reasons may convince you to make it a part of your lifestyle.
- Celebrate The Seasons
Although some farmer’s markets are held only in summer, others take place in spring and fall as well. In some places, you may even find winter markets, but the weather will play a role in when they’re held.
Your local market is a wonderful way to experience the magic of the seasons. Each of the seasons has a beauty of its own, and this is reflected in the various fruits, vegetables, flavors and colors available.
There are the peas, asparagus, salad greens, and radishes of spring, summer squash, beans, and berries, and the corn, squash, and apples of fall.
When you live seasonally, you synch your body and your life with the cycles in the natural world around you. It’s a more natural, gentler and healthier way of doing things and it hearkens back to the lifestyles our great-great-grandparents would have known. - Support Local Farmers
When you frequent a farmer’s market you support local farmers and other community members. This stimulates the local economy, rather than adding to the profits of state-wide or national supermarket chains. You’re putting the money in their pockets rather than supporting large, often globally owned conglomerates.
Additionally, your support means that farmers don’t need to spend as much money on packaging and distribution as they would if they only supplied supermarkets and other shops. Not only does this help them economically, it’s also a far more eco-friendly alternative. Less packaging means less plastic, and less transportation means lower carbon emissions. - Get More For Less
There’s a good chance that some of the farmers at your local market grow their produce organically. This means you can purchase good-quality, flavorful organic food for much less than you would at a supermarket or specialist shop.
Supermarkets need to make enough to cover expenses such as utility bills, rent and wages. Plus, they need to make a profit, so they add their mark-up on to the cost price. While farmers also need to cover expenses and make a profit, that’s factored into the price you pay at the market, which is usually significantly less than you would spend at the supermarket. - Help The Environment
In America, by the time your food has reached your plate, it has traveled an average of 1,500 miles.
During the time it traveled and the time it spent at the supermarket, it was probably wrapped in plastic or another form of environmentally unfriendly packaging. When you purchase that food, you increase
your carbon footprint and you potentially add to the problem of pollution.
However, the produce that’s sold at farmer’s markets has travelled much shorter distances, and if any packaging is involved, it’s often good, old-fashioned brown paper bags or glass jars. Doing at least some
of your shopping at the local market is a wonderful way to decrease your carbon footprint.
- Know Where Your Food Comes From
Believe or not, there are people in this world who, when asked where their food comes from, respond by saying, “the supermarket”! There’s a disconnect between what’s on their plate and the farmers who produced that food. Shopping at a market gives you the chance to discover the journey your food makes from the farm to your table. What’s more, it offers you the chance to meet the farmers who grow those vegetables, fruits, grains, pulses and herbs. You can ask them about their farming methods and become more aware of what you are putting into your body. - Purchase Better Quality Produce
Huge commercial farms are usually the culprits when it comes to using GMO crops, harsh pesticides and other chemicals. Many smaller family-run farms tend to grow heritage crops using gentler farming
methods. Some farms are based on permaculture or other organic methods. You can pretty much bet that the vegetables and other fresh produce at your local market have not been gassed, irradiated, waxed, or subjected to other questionable processes. Instead, it looks better,
tastes, better and is probably healthier than what’s available in most supermarkets. - Learn About Your Food
The farmers you meet are usually passionate about the foods they produce, and their farming methods are not the only thing they’re happy to talk about. Many of them enjoy cooking what they harvest and will be more than happy to share recipes or tips that showcase their produce. If you want to introduce more vegetables or plant-based foods into your diet but aren’t sure how to cook them, a farmer who grows them will be happy to help.
Some markets also organize cooking demonstrations. You can not only learn how to cook amazing dishes, but how to make preserves, chocolates, yogurt, cheese and a variety of other goods too. A visit to the market could be the beginnings of a new hobby! - Find More Than Food
You’ll find more than just fresh produce for sale at your local farmer’s market. Home-made preserves, hand-made jewelry, art and quirky gifts and freshly prepared food and beverages are usually just some
of the other items on offer. It’s an experience unlike anything you would find in a shopping mall. - Forge Community Connections
Regular visits to your local market can help you to establish connections within your community. Not only is there a chance you could meet neighbors you know by sight, you could get to know other people from the area too.
Whether they’re farmers, vendors or visitors, they can add value to your life in all sorts of ways. You may be able to organize a tour of some of the farms with the farmers, find someone who makes natural grooming and beauty products, or make new friends.
- Enjoy Family Time Outdoors
When you visit supermarkets, there’s a good chance you want to get in and out as quickly as possible.
Farmer’s markets, on the other hand, invite you to linger longer. They’re a wonderful way to spend a relaxing morning outdoors with your family, soaking up some much-needed vitamin D, enjoying a hearty breakfast, and shopping for food that’s good for you.
These markets are about much more than selling vegetables and other produce. Discover them for yourself and you’ll enjoy a new, healthier way of shopping.
About the Author
Jess is a lover of everything organic and is passionate about making the world a better place one written piece at a time.
