Shopping At Farmers Market Smart Move For All, Benefits Abound

Increasingly, people are taking notice of the myriad benefits of shopping at their local farmers market. Such markets have been increasing in number, seeing a 170 percent increase over the last decade, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, and lots of money transactions are taking place at them. In 2009, this involved almost 5,300 farmers markets around the country, totaling sales of over $1.2 billion for the year.

"The benefits of shopping at farmers markets provide a win-win situation for everyone involved," says Jordan Lichman, Dean of Culinary Arts and Hospitality at Stratford University. "It's hard to beat being able to find so many great items in one place that are fresh, affordable and grown locally."

If you have been thinking about shopping at a farmers market, you are in good company. Each week, millions of people grab their canvas bags and head out to see what culinary treasures they will find. Some of the many benefits of shopping farmers markets include:
--Eating Well. We all know how important it is to eat an abundance of fruits and vegetables, and farmers markets are a great place to stock up on them. They make it easy to incorporate a healthy lifestyle and even to stick to a weight-loss regime, if that is in your plans.
--Supporting the Community. Shopping at your local farmers market helps to support your local farmers. It also provides a sense of community, and keeps money in your community.
Saving Money. People often cite the cost of produce as a reason they skip purchasing it. By shopping at a farmers market, you can find high-quality products at affordable prices. Even finding affordable organic produce is an easier task at the farmers market.
--Going green. While you are the farmers market, getting your greens, you can also feel good knowing that this form of shopping is a more environmentally friendly way to shop. The produce avoids a transport process that can often involve taking food thousands of miles to reach its destination. The fuel savings is better for the planet and keeps additional shipping costs out of the food prices.
--Eating Fresh. When foods are shipped over state or even just country lines, the time involved begins to break down the food's nutritive value. By the time it reaches a store's produce department, food may have been picked days or even a week prior. At the farmers market, everything has been freshly picked, so you know you are getting fresher, more nutritious food. You will also find many unique items that you might not find in your standard grocery store's produce department.
--Learning More. At the farmers market, you usually have the ability to speak with the person who grew the food. This is a great time to inquire about everything from the type of fertilizers they have used to how to prepare a unique item. You get a chance to converse with and learn from those who are growing your food.
--Teaching Kids. If you have children, the farmers market is a great experience for them. They can often get free samples of fruits or vegetables, and can learn about this beneficial way of shopping. Try giving them each a few dollars and let them purchase whatever they want with it, even if you aren't sure what it is or how to prepare it. Just do a quick online search to find recipes using the item. You may just be pleasantly surprised!

"Even for those who do not have access to a farmers market year-round, it is a wonderful experience to take part in, each summer, when the food is at its freshest," adds Lichman. "If you can get your food straight from the farmer, why would you ever want to go elsewhere?"

To find farmers markets in your community, you can simply log on to www.localharvest.org and enter your zip code.

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