Farmers’ Markets

Farmers’ markets are an important part of building a local food supply for the benefit of the community and the environment. They usually consist of a weekly or biweekly open-air market in a designated location where farmers can sell their produce directly to consumers. Why shop at a farmers’ market? Here are just a few of the benefits:

Support Local Farmers – The success of farmers’ markets has kept small farms alive in recent years. According to the USDA, from 1994-2006, over 2,630 farmers’ markets opened in communities across the U.S. In the age of commercial agribusiness, small farms have struggled to compete with large-scale industrial farming. Farmers’ markets keep local farmers in business so communities can enjoy greater food security and fresher food.

Support Your Local Economy – Farmers keep 80-90 cents of every dollar spent by the consumer who buys from them directly at a farmers’ market, as opposed to 3.5 cents per dollar spent at the grocery store. This is because farmers’ markets cut out the need for processors, suppliers, marketers, and middlemen. Farmers’ markets keep food dollars (the money we all spend on food) in the local economy, making it strong and prosperous.

Fresher Food – Farmers’ markets equal local food, which means food can be picked close to or at maturity because it gets to the consumer quickly. This is not the case with transported food, which must be picked early to survive long-distance travel.

Better for the Environment – Because farmers’ market produce is local, it does not require the same amount of fossil-fueled transport to get to the consumer and thus has a lower carbon footprint. Farmers’ markets are usually outdoors, which eliminates the energy costs needed to power indoor supermarkets. Most farmers’ markets also feature organic or pesticide-free produce, which reduces chemicals in our environment.

In addition to these great benefits, farmers’ markets are fun community events. Many farmers’ markets also allow locals to sell prepared foods like homemade pasta and peanut butter, as well as craftspeople who make goods such as art, jewelry, candles, and clothing. Find a farmer's market in your area.