I love going to the farmers’ market every week, but this week is National Farmers Market Week, so I feel especially grateful for the farmers who come every Sunday to my neighborhood to sell their fresh, seasonal, organic, and local food.
This week I came home loaded with strawberries and rhubarb, with arugula, red peppers, cherry tomatoes, and heirloom eggplants. There were so many delicious fruits and vegetables, from avocados to zucchini and everything in between.
If you have a market near you I encourage you to visit and experience the pleasure. Not only is the produce deliciously fresh, but you can ask the grower about where it comes from, how to cook it, what it tastes like, and you can just generally chat and make all kinds of friends with farmers and locals alike. You will know that you are supporting local business, reducing the distance food has to travel to get to your plate, and in my opinion the vegetables and fruit always taste better than anything I get in a supermarket. For more information about buying locally grown food visit FoodRoutes.org
There are thousands of farmers’ markets around the country and the good news is they are increasing in number as more people recognize their value. Last year their numbers went up by 17% (according to the USDA) To find one near you via ZIP code search, see the directory at: http://farmersmarkets.usda.gov
