Your Farmers Market Offers Good Prices And Fresh Quality Produce

Your Farmers Market Offers Good Prices And Fresh Quality Produce

The farmers market has been around a long time. Shoppers in the know have patronized these markets for years, because of the quality, variety and economy of the available produce. Other shoppers haven't yet taken advantage of this alternative to grocery store produce, thinking it's too time consuming to add this extra stop on shopping day. You might now want to reconsider.

Whereas the supermarket produce may have been picked a week or more ago and have traveled hundreds of miles, the farmers markets offer the very freshest produce, locally grown and picked just hours before you purchase. Many valuable nutrients are lost from produce within a day or two of separation from the vine. Nutritionally speaking, the fresher, the better. Another advantage in buying freshly picked produce is that these fruits and vegetables are truly vine ripened. You'll certainly taste the difference. The variety of produce you'll find at the farmers market far surpasses any supermarket, giving you the opportunity to try new varieties of lettuce, heirloom tomatoes and other new taste treats. When you begin to frequent the farmers market, you'll notice new items to work into your menus each week.

Most of this produce is grown on small, family owned farms, many of whom practice organic gardening methods. This is a real plus for you. In addition to the great taste and added nutritional value, you're helping to support people in your own community, rather than a large corporate conglomerate from another state.

We've all noticed the spike in grocery prices, much of it attributable to the cost of transporting products from the place of origin to our local stores. The products at the farmers market don't have this overhead, so you're getting superior food at prices that beat the typical supermarket.

These produce market's goods are not confined strictly to fresh fruits and vegetables. Many of these markets carry items such as nuts, dried fruit and bulk granola-style cereals. Every now and then, you'll see things like garlic presses, nut crackers and salad spinners at good prices.

Perhaps as important as the superior nutrition and value, you've got to love the social aspect. Once you start making the farmers market a regular shopping spot, you'll see other regulars with whom you can stop and chat. "Did you try that acorn squash they had last week? These oranges look really nice!" Pretty soon, you start making new friends, among both customers and sellers. After a short while, you wouldn't dream of buying your produce anywhere else.

Summary

Farmers markets are coming back into style due to all the concerns of pesticides and food additives. Locally grown produce is more in demand and people are finding a social element in going to the market much like in olden times. A touch of nostalgia and also good fresh healthy food make the farmers market a great place to go.

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