I went to a local Winter Market recently and it was awesome. I bought spinach humus, baba ganoush, pre-made salads, blackberries, and, of course, a ton of vegetables. I also met a great local business owner with their own restaurant. The shopping trip prompting me to share why shopping your local farmer’s markets can be so great!
Extra Cash!
Many local Farmer’s Markets are now accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/EBT) benefits as payment. In an effort to promote a healthy lifestyle, when you use SNAP benefits you get more for your money. For example, at Thundermist’s Winter Market, when you buy $5 of food using SNAP/EBT benefits you get $2 free!
Why shop locally?
Reason 1: Boosting the local economy. By shopping at Farmer’s Markets you are enjoying the freshest food and are supporting local family farmers.
Reason 2: Bettering the environment. By shopping at local markets you are cutting down on the fuel, packaging and pesticides used by conventional Farmers.
Reason 3: Improving your, and your family’s, health. In general, most food at local farms is less processed using sustainable procedures. Conventional farmers, who provide grocery store produce, use pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, genetic modification, and unsustainable techniques. Most of the fruit has been waxed before transit or gassed during transit (to keep them pretty). These techniques can be harmful for your health.
Reason 4: Humane treatment of animals. I won’t go PETA on you. Lets just keep it simple – animals from locally grown farms are treated better. They are allowed to graze freely and are allowed to out in the fresh air. At local farmers markets, you can find meats, cheeses, and eggs from what I will call “happier cows” [chickens, goats, ducks,etc.].
Reason 5: You’re a part of a community. At your local farmer’s market you will meet some awesome people from your community and feel a greater connection to those around you.
Where is my local market?
Find your local Farmer’s Market here. There are a variety of sites open seasonally.
