Healthy Eating Starts at the Farmer's Market
By
Meghan Vivo
April 01, 2008
Nothing says summer like a brightly colored, bustling farmers’ market. And there’s no better way to boost the number of fruits and vegetables in your diet than exploring the eye-catching spreads at each farmer’s booth. From seasonable produce like fragrant summer tomatoes, strawberries, zucchini, and corn on the cob, to fresh autumn options like squash, apples, and cranberries, farmers’ markets are loaded with inspiration for healthy eating.
According to studies, people who visit a farmers’ market wind up buying and consuming up to three additional servings of fruits and vegetables a day compared to grocery store shoppers. Why? Shoppers reportedly enjoyed the pleasant community experience and the chance to interact directly with the growers, and commented that the produce sold at markets seemed to be fresher and of higher quality than supermarket offerings. If you’re debating whether to visit the farmers’ market or your neighborhood chain supermarket, consider the following benefits of shopping local.
Freshness. The fruits and vegetables you find in the farmers’ market are different creatures than what you find in the grocery store. Because they are grown locally and picked when perfectly ripened, they are days or weeks fresher, sometimes even hand-picked that morning. Compare that to the produce sold in a supermarket, which generally was picked almost a week before it hits the shelves.
Fresh produce that isn’t trucked thousands of miles before reaching your table is by far the healthiest way to meet your fruit and vegetable quota. When you shop at farmers’ markets, you’re eating healthy food that hasn’t traveled long distances or endured being processed or packaged. This superior freshness enhances the taste, texture, and aroma of the produce. And since the produce is picked at the peak of the season, more nutrients and phytochemicals are preserved.
Are you convinced you just despise the flavor of fruits and vegetables? Maybe that’s because you’ve only eaten week-old grocery store produce. You may change your mind once you try the freshest the farm has to offer. Experiencing food at its finest can encourage even the pickiest eater to try new things. With so much variety, you’re bound to find something at the farmers’ market that appeals to everyone in the family.
Eating with the Seasons. Produce at a farmers’ market is available according to the season. Eating seasonally can put you in touch with the rhythm of your local climate. If your favorite produce isn’t available, ask the farmer what he or she would recommend in the meantime. Sometimes, if demand is high for a particular item or certain traditional cultural food, farmers can respond directly to their shoppers’ preferences and supply foods that may not be available anywhere else. Instead of making a list of the ingredients you want to buy, choose what looks best at the market and then find a recipe to match.
Asking an Expert. Farmers are an excellent resource for educating consumers about local growing practices and the origin of the foods you eat. Because they are passionate about their product, they can provide a wealth of information including suggestions on how to cook and prepare fresh ingredients. Some products at the farmers’ market are USDA certified organic, while others use low-spray or low-pesticide approaches. Farmers who sell directly to consumers generally care for their land and use sustainable growing practices to keep it healthy. Growing practices that are good for the health of the land also tend to be good for people’s health. When in doubt about the quality of your food, at the farmers’ market you have the rare opportunity to simply turn to the grower and ask.
Supporting Local Farmers and the Community. With modern food systems, it’s easy to forget about the connection between the land and the food we eat. Fresh produce doesn’t magically show up on supermarket shelves – there’s a complex growing process and “supply chain” that fuels the system. By shopping at farmers’ markets, you support the efforts of local farmers who can’t compete with supermarket measures of scale. Your patronage also strengthens the local community as shops and retailers in the area benefit from the added foot traffic.
Preserving Resources. It requires tremendous amounts of energy and resources to bring food into American homes. Before reaching your table, the average food item in the U.S. will travel 1,300 miles! The amount of fossil fuel energy required to package, transport, and market these foods results in a host of environmental problems. When you buy locally at farmers’ markets, you’re doing your small part to preserve valuable resources, including your own – in addition to saving the environment, you can save money by shopping at farmers’ markets, especially on organic produce.
Tips for Making the Most of the Farmers’ Market Experience
• Plan to spend a couple hours browsing the booths. Part of the fun of visiting the market is exploring the wide variety of products that farmers display. Arrive early to get the best selection and do a little taste test before you buy.
• Try something new. Most markets have an assortment of food items you’ve never tried. Be adventurous and ask to sample something unusual.
• Chat with the farmers. Getting to know your local growers is part of the market appeal. Ask about growing practices and farm life, or find out how to prepare your produce in a new way.
• Take care of your produce. Fruits and vegetables generally should be stored in a cool, dry place (not in a hot car after you’re done shopping). Certain items are best left unrefrigerated while others should be placed in the crisper. For specific food safety and storage tips, talk to the grower.
• Check the schedule. Find out if there are any special events being planned at the market any given week. Many have cooking demonstrations, taste tests, and activities to entertain the kids.
The benefits of shopping at your neighborhood farmers’ market shouldn’t be underestimated. Farmers’ markets promote nutrition education, wholesome eating habits, and healthy food preparation, and also provide a boost to local farmers, the community, and the environment. With all these benefits, it should come as no surprise that buying local has really caught on. Sales at farmers markets rose from $888 million in 2000 to $1 billion in 2005, and there are now more than 4,300 markets nationwide. By frequenting the farmers’ market, not only will you experience the health benefits of eating locally, but you have a fun-filled outing the whole family can enjoy. You may even learn something new in the process.
Comments
now that its almost summer and its hot outside, im craving fruits and vegetables...definitely going to try the farmers market near my house
The fruit taste so much better because they don't pick it too early like they do in stores. In the grocery stores that fruit is hard as a rock because they pick it earlier so it will ship better and stay on the shelf longer. Yuck.
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