Local food tastes better and is more nutritious than the processed junk in supermarkets. Buying from farmers’ markets also supports your community and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
The foods sold at the farmers market are usually in season, so they have yet to travel as far. That means they have fewer chemicals and pesticides and less salt and sugar.
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Freshness
Many foods sold at an Amish farmer’s market are picked or harvested the day they go on sale, which means they’re much fresher than foods shipped long distances. That freshness can help maintain nutrients.
Buying at the farmers market can also be a great way to shop seasonally. Eating what’s in season helps ensure you get a wide variety of vitamins and minerals in your diet all year round.
Additionally, many foods sold at the farmers market don’t come in excessive packaging, reducing food waste. Often, items are packaged in recycled paper or glass bottles. This is a big step forward for the environment.
Variety
Farmers markets offer various products that align with guidelines for healthy eating patterns. You can find local fruits and vegetables, grains and proteins, healthy snacks, and even locally made treats like ice cream.
Many farmers’ markets also feature organic produce, which is lower in harmful chemicals and meets strict guidelines set by an organic certifying organization. You may also come across rare or exotic varieties like garlic scapes, PawPaws, and cherry tomatoes that aren’t available at your typical grocery store.
And as the popularity of zero waste grows, farmers markets have you covered – most products are unpackaged, eliminating the need for excess plastic. Bring your tote bag or re-use a cotton drawstring from shoes or bedsheets.
Health
Farmers’ markets provide healthy food options, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy. These items are integral to maintaining a balanced diet, which may reduce risks like heart disease and obesity.
Locally grown produce often provides the vitamins and minerals your body requires because transport and storage times are reduced. Furthermore, organic or non-GMO options often reduce exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and additives.
Shopping at your local farmers market can help foster a healthier relationship with food by teaching you to consume mindfully and prepare meals at home, leading to better choices and decreased consumption of unhealthy substances, like salt/sodium, processed sugars, and artificial sweeteners, saturated or industrially produced trans fats.
Convenience
Local produce is often picked at its peak ripeness, so you’ll get more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from your food. Plus, it’s typically grown near you and doesn’t need to travel long distances, which can cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.
You can also support small businesses by shopping at farmers’ markets.
Shoppers at farmers’ markets can also find hard-to-find vegetables, learn new recipes, and discover heirloom varieties that supermarkets may need to carry. Plus, families can spend time together creating memories on-site and at home while enjoying nutrient-packed treasures from the market. Embrace the “ugly” fruits and veggies, too — they’re usually just as tasty as the more attractive ones!
Sustainability
Farmers’ markets provide more than fresh produce; they also feature locally made soap, beeswax candles, and other sustainable items that support local economies and reduce impactful impacts. By purchasing such items, you are simultaneously helping your economy and the environment!
Sustainability means using natural resources responsibly and producing less greenhouse gas emissions. Shipping food long distances requires additional resources and produces additional greenhouse gas emissions; purchasing from farmers’ markets is more eco-friendly as it limits how much food travels from its origination farm to your local store.
Local farmers tend to rely less on antibiotics and hormones to make their livestock grow faster and do not confine their animals in cramped conditions, meaning the meat produced from local farms tends to contain more essential vitamins and nutrients than that produced by mass-production factory farms.
