Locally sourced foods have so many health benefits. One of the main benefits is that they are fresher and contain more nutrients. Local farmers markets are a great way to help support a farmer, add to your local economy, benefit your community, and your improve your health all at the same time. They are a great place to get fresh high density whole foods – directly from the source.
Stop and think of how we used to eat 100 years ago. People didn’t eat food from factories, or processed foods. They relied on the land, our community, and our farms. Humans ate fresh whole foods, plant-based diets plus quality proteins, animals that weren’t massed produced, and they didn’t farm with conventional methods used today to mass produce foods. Our ancestors hunted, gathered, and ate seasonal foods. They ate LOCAL long before it was a trend. They knew where their food came from and what was in it.
Farmers pick and prepare foods to take to the farmers market within days of the market, making the foods you buy from them not only more flavorful but also more beneficial to your health. In addition to the increased flavor and added nutrients, fresh local produce doesn’t have any chemicals sprayed on it for long term storage.
Another health benefit of Farmers Markets is that they are outside! This alone benefits your health and walking is required at any farmers market. Even though most produce prices are usually comparable, it is fun to see what each booth has to offer. Some may have an abundance of a particular veggie and have it marked down so it may be worth “window” shopping before you actually buy.
I personally love a good deal! Its never a good thing when I buy the first bunch of organic carrots I see and then walk around the corner only to find them for less! Take your time – not too much though. It’s possible that the farmer has displayed all they have remaining of a particular fruit or veggie on the table. If it looks like they are getting low, it may be worth just buying it, verses going home without it.
Benefits of Farmers Market Shopping:
- Helps to Support Local Farmers
- Strengthen Local Community & Economy
- Being outside & walking around is good for you
- Only Seasonal Produce is available
- Fresh fruits and vegetables have the most nutrition
- Most flavorful Produce Available
- Seasonal Produce has health benefits
- Quality Whole Foods & Proteins
- You can talk to the person grew your food
- Great selection of Organic Produce
- Produce prices are less or comparable to stores
I hope this inspires you to look for a local farmers market this summer! They are always a fun stop when traveling too. You never know what you will find and what inspiration you will get from the fresh local in-season produce you come home with.
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