Imagine a world where the produce you use in your home was grown by a family dedicated to being kind to our environment. There is something about knowing the exact source of where your food comes from that can potentially put your mind and body at ease. This is a possibility for those who frequent their local Farmers Market. There are many reasons to shop at your closest Farmers Market instead of the grocery store and here are some that might compel you to make a switch.
1. Taste
Isn’t one of the main reasons behind eating food is to enjoy the taste of every bite? Food from the farmers market is some of the freshest available. Fruits and vegetables in the market are ripened fully in the fields they are grown in. There’s commonly no added gassing to stimulate the ripening process, no long distance shipping, and the food is not sitting in storage for weeks on end. Everything is fresh – and you will be able to taste the difference.
2. Supporting Family Farmers
Large agribusinesses are the leaders in food production in the U.S., which makes it hard for family farmers to compete in the food market. Supporting their produce via your local Farmers Market gives them support to survive in this tough market. With family farmers, you have the option to develop a relationship and build rapport with the minds behind the food you eat. Building trust with the people who produce your food is also an added benefit.
3. Nourishment
Food in grocery stores is typically highly processed which can have a negative effect on our health. Some food is grown using pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, and genetic modification. Food from the farmers market uses sustainable techniques and is typically free from hormones and radical modification sources.
4. Encourage Humane Treatment of Animals
The eggs, cheeses, and meats you find at the Farmers Market are primarily sourced from animals raised without hormones or antibiotics. The animals have eaten natural diets and have more often than not, lived in healthy conditions; not caged or tortured in any way.
5. Get new recipes and meal ideas
Many of the farmers, artisans, and ranchers you will meet at the farmers market are cooks that will give you new ideas on how to use the produce they are selling you. Trying their recipes can add a lot to your family’s dining experience at home and can encourage cooking sessions together that can also create great family bonding time.
6. Help protect the environment
The food you get from the grocery store can travel 1,500 miles before it even gets to your fridge. The shipping process uses vast amounts of fossil fuels that contribute to pollution. The delivery process increases trash due to the extra packaging also. Conventional agriculture uses more resources and adds pollution to the air, water, and land with toxic agricultural by-products. Local farmers have a lot less travel time and can protect the environment by decreasing waste significantly.
7. Discover new foods
If you have haven’t been to a farmers market you will be surprised how many foods you see that you have never tried before, or perhaps even heard of. Produce like heirloom tomatoes and red carrots will allow you to enjoy a variety of different foods in new fun recipes.
Bonus: Fun, educational, and a place to socialize
The farmers market is a fun place to spend your time in. You get to enjoy the sun by being outside, you can meet new people, and get free samples of yummy food. When engaging with the farmers you also learn about the food you are buying and the benefits of the food you are buying. It’s an experience.
Next time you have to make a grocery run, try going to your local Farmers Market instead. You may end up really enjoy it and it may become a regular occurrence.
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