Shopping at Local Farmers Markets
By: Nicole | May 30, 2008 | Category: General
Yesterday, when I stepped outside to walk my oversized puppy, I discovered a lovely sunny evening. As we wandered down the path, I was greeted by the distinct smell of fresh cut grass and the sweet scent of honeysuckle. Summer is definitely just around the corner. Sure, that means blistering hot days and relentless humidity, but it also means extra hours of sunlight and the occasional perfect evening.
I have another reason to be excited about summer: it’s the season for fresh produce. Farmers markets should be regrouping across the country, offering fresh local fruits and veggies, as well as dairy and meat products. The USDA farmers market search can help you find nearby markets and their hours of operation. Many of these markets begin in April or May and continue though November. Some places are lucky enough to have year-round markets.
Gov Gab bloggers have written before about the benefits of organic gardening and cooking with locally grown foods, but many folks (like me) can’t grow a garden. For us, there are farmers markets.
Rest assured, there are lots of rewards for buying local produce in this time-honored fashion. You can support local farmers, especially those who practice organic, humane, and sustainable farming techniques. You won’t have to worry about a middle-man taking most of the profit, and you can make more informed decisions about what you buy. In addition, you’ll be helping the environment. Conventional stores often transport food from distant regions, which is expensive and requires additional fuel, especially if the food needs refrigeration.
Last but certainly not least, you’ll get to experience the wonderful flavor of fresh-picked fruits and veggies. One of my seasonal favorites is fresh asparagus (with a hint of butter). What’s yours?
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Cut up and cook fresh peaches with sugar and some cinnamon in a pot on the stove. Then slice a few flour tortillas in 1/2" pieces and mix them in to cook with the peach mixture for a minute or two. The tortillas pick up the sweetness from the sugar and help thicken the mixture. Spoon the warm peach mixture over ice cream or have it with cream.
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Comment PermalinkThey're fun too, it's a real good way to stay "green" and to also get some really tasty produce.
Also, you're supporting your local community, and I've found it can actually be cheaper to buy locally than even at the grocery store.
And for some reason organic especially seems to be cheaper.
If at all possible I'd really recommend finding a local farmers market you can scout out at least once or twice a month.
You'll have fun, eat great food, maybe save some money, and support your community.
Have fun!
-Sean
http://www.YummyFitness.com
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