From the fresh produce to the local fare, your local farmers’ market is an excellent place to buy food and spend time with your family. Check out my top 5 reasons for shopping your local farmers’ market.
- Fresh, in season produce. You can’t beat the produce at the local Farmers’ market unless you grow your own. Most likely, the veggies at the market have been picked within the last several days. On average, produce at the grocery store has traveled about 1,300 miles to get there! While I do purchase a lot of produce at the grocery store, I love stocking up on fresh, local veggies every Saturday. You can definitely taste the difference. You may even discover a variety of veggie you have never tried.
- The eggs. If you have never tried a fresh egg from a pasture roaming chicken, you must do so! There is a notable difference in the color of the yolk, the taste and even the way it looks when you crack it in a hot pan. The first time I cracked an egg from the farmers’ market, I was amazed by the rich orange color of the yolk. Since then, I have never wanted to go back to the “free-range” eggs at the grocery store. Chickens that are pasture roaming enjoy their days in the sun eating grass and bugs (what a chicken should eat). “Free-range” chickens only need to have access to the outdoors and usually live in a large chicken house with many other chickens. If they do decide to venture outside through the door, they are usually on a concrete slab with no access to grass or bugs. The eggs at my local farmers’ market are so popular that you have to arrive early to get your hands on some! Since we missed out so many times, we now have our own backyard chickens. I hope to share more about our girls later.
- Local meat and dairy. Some of the best meat and dairy we have purchased has been from the farmers’ market. We have purchased local cheeses, yogurt, grass-fed beef, pork, lamb, chicken, sausage and so much more. We have discovered so many new cuts of meat that we aren’t able to purchase at the grocery store. This has really expanded our cooking horizons. I’ve also noticed that some of the meats cost less than what I would pay at the grocery store. Most notably, the grass-fed ground beef.
- Shopping local. We try to shop local as much as possible. It ensures that we get the freshest food while supporting people in our community. The farmers and vendors at the market work very hard to provide the best quality food and products. By supporting them, you will eat better, learn more about your food, and keep more money in your local economy.
- Family fun. Going to the farmers’ market on Saturday morning has become a family tradition. There is always hot coffee, freshly made donuts, and live music. What more could a girl ask for?! After getting some fresh air while shopping and talking to the vendors, we always stop by the children’s craft area. Jack loves making a craft and watching the other kids.
Shop your local farmers’ market and you will get the freshest and best-tasting food, support people in your community, and spend quality time with your family. If you haven’t tried your local market, I encourage you to do so. You never know what you might find.
If you already shop your local market, what is your favorite thing about it? I’d love to hear from you.