Clemmons Farmers Market Eight Good Reasons Why You Should Shop at Your Local Farmers Market

Clemmons Farmers Market

Eight Good Reasons Why You Should Shop at Your Local Farmers Market

BY TABI FALCONE, JAMES STEWART PHOTOGRAPHY

IT SUPPORTS FAMILY FARMS & LOCAL BUSINESSES.

When you buy produce from a farmers market, you are buying it directly from a local farmer. That means the money you local farmer. That means the money you are spending is going towards a family business and stays within the community. Small businesses are more likely to give back to the community, as well as literally being our friends and neighbors, so it makes sense to spend your money where you live.

IT’S COST-EFFECTIVE.

For some reason, many people have gotten the notion in their mind that shopping for produce at local farmers markets is more expensive than buying produce from big box stores, but that is often not the case. Because there are smaller transportation costs, as well as less overhead, the regular produce usually costs less at farmers markets. Studies have even shown that organic produce is generally much cheaper at farmers markets. Not to mention it lowers your carbon footprint by reducing the transportation time.

IT HELPS YOU CONNECT WITH YOUR COMMUNITY.

When you walk through the farmers market regularly, you get to know the other people who also frequent the market in your community, as well as the farmers. You see the nice man who lives down the street and walks his dog and waves to you every morning. You see the mom pushing a stroller who you know works as a yoga instructor at the studio near your work. You see your child’s teacher with her family looking through the pile of kale. Feeling a part of our community in this manner is one of the best parts of small-town America and is an important thing to be preserved.

SUPPORT HUMANE FARMING PRACTICES.

Local farmers tend to focus on higher quality, humanely raised meat. When supporting these meat farmers you raised meat. When supporting these meat farmers you can directly ask the farmer questions about their practice, can directly ask the farmer questions about their practice, and often times they will have literature about their farms you can take with you to read. It is wonderful to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing the animals who are providing your family sustenance had good lives. who are providing your family sustenance had good lives. Responsible farming is much easier to nd and con rm Responsible farming is much easier to nd and con rm when shopping locally.

YOU CAN KEEP IT SEASONAL.

By buying produce locally, you also buy produce seasonally. This means that you can build your menu based off of what This means that you can build your menu based off of what is in season. Not only does this lower your costs because is in season. Not only does this lower your costs because you aren’t paying higher prices unintentionally for out of season produce, but it is a nice mix-up to rotate produce in and out with each passing season. As much as you may love pumpkin soup, it does get tiring to have it year round – this helps you keep it in the fall where it belongs.

IT TASTES BETTER.

Because farmers markets showcase local produce, they come directly from local farms and are much fresher than what you can buy in stores. Freshness is a huge plus when it comes to the taste of a piece of produce. It’s simple logic to know that an apple that was picked in a farm down the road yesterday is going to taste better than an apple that was picked in another state a week ago.

YOU CAN LEARN NEW THINGS.

A huge perk to shopping locally is that you can talk to the actual farmers or those who work on the farm. They will have real answers for you when you ask questions about their farming practices, what is in season, and even how to prepare certain foods. Some of the best recipes can be grabbed from farmers – how many people are going to have as many beet recipes as a beet farmer?

YOU GET THE WHOLE FAMILY INVOLVED.

Farmers markets are a family affair. Bring your signi cant other, kids, friends and make it into a day! Talk about the kinds of foods you want on the meal plan beforehand and then go on a scavenger hunt. Let the kids try some samples, maybe even grab a muf n from a local baker to snack on while you stroll the market. Pick up a beautiful bouquet from a local orist to decorate the table when you get home, and really enjoy your day at the farmers market!