Get It Fresh at a Farmers Market
Get it Fresh at a Farmers Market
By Elisha Greeley Smith, elishas@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs
’Tis the season for getting wonderful, locally grown produce! Chances are there is a Farmers Market in your community.
Farmers Markets are a great way to get fresh, healthy and tasty produce. Plus you’ll be supporting local farmers and gardeners.
Besides quality in freshness and flavor, some other benefits of buying produce at Farmers Markets are the variety and availability of produce not often found in supermarkets, and the fact that you’re buying directly from the producer. Shoppers can be confident in the origin of their food, ask questions, and get closer to the sources of local foods. Shoppers can try things they’ve never had before and the farmer is usually willing to share recipes for their products.
Since the produce is picked at the peak of the season, nutrients, and phytochemicals (beta carotene, lycopene, etc.) will be more abundant. Phytochemicals occur naturally in plants and protect against cancers and strengthens collagen proteins. Also, produce that is picked when perfectly ripened has enhanced taste, texture, and aroma.
Along with fresh fruits and veggies, honey, farm fresh eggs, nuts, fresh flowers, nursery plants, breads, pastries, jams and meats can be found at Farmers Markets.
So get out there in your community and support local producers! Not only will you enjoy fresh produce, but the social atmosphere markets provide as well!
For a listing of Farmers Markets in your state go to: http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/map.htm. This site will tell you the time, location, and day the markets are open. Some markets may not be listed on this site.
post a question or comment here or contact John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org
Center for Rural Affairs
Values. Worth. Action.
By Elisha Greeley Smith, elishas@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs
’Tis the season for getting wonderful, locally grown produce! Chances are there is a Farmers Market in your community.
Farmers Markets are a great way to get fresh, healthy and tasty produce. Plus you’ll be supporting local farmers and gardeners.
Besides quality in freshness and flavor, some other benefits of buying produce at Farmers Markets are the variety and availability of produce not often found in supermarkets, and the fact that you’re buying directly from the producer. Shoppers can be confident in the origin of their food, ask questions, and get closer to the sources of local foods. Shoppers can try things they’ve never had before and the farmer is usually willing to share recipes for their products.
Since the produce is picked at the peak of the season, nutrients, and phytochemicals (beta carotene, lycopene, etc.) will be more abundant. Phytochemicals occur naturally in plants and protect against cancers and strengthens collagen proteins. Also, produce that is picked when perfectly ripened has enhanced taste, texture, and aroma.
Along with fresh fruits and veggies, honey, farm fresh eggs, nuts, fresh flowers, nursery plants, breads, pastries, jams and meats can be found at Farmers Markets.
So get out there in your community and support local producers! Not only will you enjoy fresh produce, but the social atmosphere markets provide as well!
For a listing of Farmers Markets in your state go to: http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/map.htm. This site will tell you the time, location, and day the markets are open. Some markets may not be listed on this site.
post a question or comment here or contact John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org
Center for Rural Affairs
Values. Worth. Action.
posted by Center for Rural Affairs @ 12:42 PM
2 Comments:
At 5:30 AM,
Kaix said…
You are running a great Blog. I was looking for farmers markets in USA. I am woring as a consultant for farmers's markets in Germany. This is one of our clients located in Munich:
www.muenchener-bauernmaerkte.de
Have a good time
Kai Schleyerbach
www.pm-agribusiness.de
At 7:52 AM,
Becky McCray said…
A terrific article! I hope you have distributed it far and wide.
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