Why I Love the Farmer’s Market

Environmental Etc.

Dec 4

Why do I love farmer’s markets? Because they’re awesome!

Seasonal produce. The majority of produce I eat is seasonal to my area (because a lot of it is purchased at the farmer’s market!). This makes produce an anticipatory event—long awaited strawberries, the first slice of a cucumber, fresh peaches. If you buy them any time of year at a grocery store, produce is so commonplace. It loses the specialness.

Seasonal produce. Yes, I know, a repeat, but with good reason! Buying seasonal means buying locally, which means that the food didn’t sit on a truck for several weeks. It wasn’t picked super early before it was even ripe, it was picked one day earlier, at peak ripeness. This gives the fruits and veggies flavor. I swear grocery store tomatoes are made of plastic! Even more important than the taste, eating seasonal produce enhances the nutrients in the food. Just like it has more taste, allowing produce to fully ripen allows it to fully develop all of its nutritional benefits.
Supporting the local economy. Just like shopping at a local mom-and-pop shop supports the local economy, buying at the farmer’s market does too! The money goes right to the farmers.
Prepared foods and crafts. Many farmer’s markets sport food stands and craft booths as well! Baked goods, sandwiches, coffee—you know, not a sit-down restaurant, but something to grab while you’re shopping. And crafts! Especially helpful coming into the holidays.
Community event. The farmer’s market in New Orleans often has musicians playing. It makes for a lively, social atmosphere.
Often organic and plastic-free. Many farmers, though not all, use organic methods. At most grocery stores, the organic produce is heavily wrapped in plastic (why?? to protect it from the conventional produce?). But at farmer’s markets, you can usually get loose produce and place them in reuseable bag.

Thanks for reading!

💜

Laura

Farmer's market