The Benefits of Farmer’s Markets and Backyard Cooking
One of the best techniques to upgrade your eating is by growing your own produce and buying locally from farmer’s markets! Having your own garden and shopping at farmer’s markets are great ways to eat fresher, rotate your produce intake, save money, and support your community’s small businesses. They are also an easy way to learn more about what your town has to offer as well as the foods you are buying. Taking advantage of your local farmers market is the best move this summer, and here’s why!
Eating local produce, whether it’s from your own backyard or an organic farmers market ensures there are no pesticides found on your food. In addition, produce is often fresher when sourced from small local farms rather than purchased from a grocery store. This is because farms that sell to grocery stores often pick fruits before they are ripe so they make it safely through transport and last longer on shelves. Small farmers, however, pick their produce at peak ripeness, which results in a more flavorful harvest. A longer time on the vine also means that more vitamins and minerals are transferred to the fruit or vegetable, making it more nutrient dense!
Not only is the produce richer in vitamins and minerals at farmer’s markets but there is a greater variety of fruits and vegetables found there as well that you cannot always find at your grocery store. This allows consumers to change their usual cooking and eating routine based on the season. Not only are farmer’s markets a great place for produce, but they also often have dairy, grass-fed meats, honey, etc. available; and foods from local restaurants to try. Therefore, you can find almost all of your weekly food needs at the farmers’ market!
Furthermore, farmer’s markets are also financially beneficial for consumers due to their selling prices being less expensive than those at grocery stores. This is because grocery stores and the farms they source from need to make a profit; therefore, purchasing your food directly from farmer’s markets cuts out the middleman and extra costs. In addition, farmer’s markets are utilized by many small businesses and growers because they are able to market themselves and gain recognition for their products. They are a great opportunity for citizens to discover and support local businesses.
Of course, grocery stores provide a plethora of healthy options any time of year, but taking advantage of your own garden or local farmer’s markets is a win-win for you and your community. Farmer’s markets can be found in almost any town, just search for local ones using Farm-to-City for the healthiest, freshest summer yet! Or, if you’re willing to take on the challenge of starting your own garden–but need a little guidance–look no further than Backyard Eats!
They strive to help you “experience the magic of homegrown food right in your own backyard” so you don’t have “to settle for bland, store-bought produce”. So, even if you lack a “green thumb”, growing a garden is still possible. Backyard Eats covers a wide range of projects including school and community gardens in addition to different maintenance services in your own backyard–including raised bed gardens, berry trellises, and food forest landscaping! Visit their website linked above for more information regarding their purpose and services.
