Farmer's Markets are Not Just for Foodies

Fresh Produce and Fresh Conversation Provided at Farmer's Markets

May 13, 2009

Farmer's markets provide more than just the freshest local and organic foods. You get the opportunity to engage directly with the farmer who grew your food.

"Our little farmers market in Point Reyes Station, for example, is an amazingly beautiful and fun place to spend your Saturday morning and feel the interconnectedness between soil, organic produce, farmers, local residents and visitors. There are lots of smiles on the faces, " says Helge Hellberg, Radio Host of An Organic Conversation and Director of Marin Organic

When you shop at farmer’s markets the money you spend on local produce stays within the community. (Here 80 cents of each dollar goes to the farmer. When you buy the same item at a supermarket, only 9 cents on each dollar goes to the farmer.) There are fewer transportation costs and fewer middlemen. Of course, some long-distance food makes practical sense such as seasonal crops or for those living in some remote locations.

Farmers Markets Sell Local Food

When you purchase a food item in your supermarket, there’s a good chance it traveled many miles to get there. This requires more packaging, refrigeration and fuel, and generates large amounts of pollution and waste. (Researchers estimate that local sourced produce entailed 4-17 times less petroleum consumption and 5-7 times less carbon dioxide emissions than ingredients trucking through the conventional food chain.)

A recent report by The US Department of Agriculture asserts that we have lost more than 34,000 farmers in the last two years. That’s an average of 330 per week. Just sixty years ago there were 6.8 million farmers across this great country of ours, and now the number of farms stands at a lowly 2 million.

Some experts see change for the good of the farmer and the consumer on the way. “Changes are unfolding in millions of different communities in a million different ways," says Brian Halweil, WorldWatch Institute’s Senior Researcher and author ofEat Here "Farmers will plant a greater diversity of crops. Less will be shipped as bulk commodity and more will be packaged and canned and prepared to be sold nearby. Small food businesses will emerge to do this work. And shoppers, seeking pleasure and reassurance, will eat deliberately and inquire about the origins of their food.”

What can Consumers do to Support American Farmers?

In the book, “A Song For America,” written by Farm Aid, the extraordinarily talented and committed organization of farmers and rockstars who put a spotlight on family farmers, the creators list “Ten Ways to Ensure Healthy Food Campaign”

The copyright of the article Farmer's Markets are Not Just for Foodies in Food Trends is owned by Annie Spiegelman. Permission to republish Farmer's Markets are Not Just for Foodies in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.