Why do farmers markets matter?
While we could share an endless list about the importance, significance, and positive impact of a community farmers market, we thought we would share these top 10 reasons gathered by the Farmers Market Coalition.
1. Buying Locally
Buying from your local farmer allows you to support small, local farmers and agriculture. This means that the food you are eating comes from within 150 miles of our markets, is available seasonally and does not require the waste of energy and petroleum to ship the food half-way around the world.
2. Knowing Your Source
The advantage of a farmers’ market is it offers the consumer an opportunity to actually talk to the farmer, learn about growing methods, and then decide for yourself what is important.
3. Supporting the Local Economy
You are supporting local human beings and the local economy, not massive agribusiness, GMO food conglomerates. Not only will your money be staying in the area, but you will support the the farmer, food purveyor or maker that will continue to bring you quality products.
4. Eat Seasonally
By shopping at your local farmers market, you will eat seasonally, fresh and ripe, increasing your overall health. Supermarkets offer a large variety of food which is picked before it has ripened decreasing its vitality and nutrients.
5. Safer Foods
Food from your local farmers market is generally safer. At a farmers’s market if someone becomes ill it would be very easy to track which farm it came from and remedy the issue. And learning about farming/production practices directly from the source helps safeguard against mass outbreaks.
6. Fresher Fruits & Veggies
The food from your local farmers market is, quite frankly, fresher. Because it was grown locally, there is a good chance that the greens you buy from the farmer were picked a yesterday. This is impossible in a big supermarket.
7. Greater Variety
There is usually an amazing variety of fruits and veggies at your local farmers market. Each farmer may have his own methods and varieities of tomatoes, greens or peppers. Supermarkets cannot put something on the shelf that is “different” and expect that it will sell through. At the market you can discuss what the product is, how to cook and store.
8. Better Taste
There is no doubt that locally-grown foods simply taste better. You will never be able to eat a carrot from the grocery store again!
9. It’s Healthy!
Eating fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables are great for your health. Buy yourself some local honey. It has just the right components for allergy prevention in Central Texas. And farmers market foods often lack the gums and food preservatives that are necessary for store stocked products.
10. Most Importantly — It’s Fun!
Farmers markets are just plain fun for the whole family (including your 4 legged family members). Meeting family, co-workers and friends at the market is an excellent way to feel connected to the world around you, increasing health for body, mind and spirit.