Farmers Markets, such as Central Farm Markets, offer the freshest and greenest produce!

1st October 2021 Kyle Jackson

If you want quality fruits and vegetables, then go to your local farmers market!

Last week, we introduced you to permaculture gardening with Jed and Selim. But, if you aren’t quite green-fingered and not ready to delve into growing your own vegetables and fruits, but you also still want the same quality, then go to your local farmers market!

The fruits and vegetables you buy at the farmers market are probably the freshest and tastiest you can get without growing them yourself. Fruits from farmers markets are usually allowed to ripen fully in the field and then brought directly to the market— not shipped to a supermarket from some far away location, no gassing to make them ripen faster, and no sitting in storage for weeks before being shipped off. This food is straight from the farm and as fresh as you can get it!

Speaking of food being shipped to supermarkets, a lot of the food found in stores (not all of them, of course) can sometimes be highly processed. Not only might a lot of it be processed, but some of it is often grown using pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and different types of genetic modification.

Some of it has also been irradiated, waxed, or gassed in transit. These practices may have negative effects on human health. However, most of the food found at the farmers market is very rarely processed, and many of the farmers who sell at farmers markets go to great lengths to grow the most nutritious produce possible. They do this by using sustainable techniques, picking produce right before they bring it to the market, and growing heirloom varieties.

Not only are you supporting yourself with healthier food options by shopping at farmers markets, but you’re also helping the farmers, the economy and the environment. Many farmers have a hard time competing in the marketplace, because large food businesses are dominating the market. Buying straight from farmers gives them a leg up in the economy by giving them a better return for their products.

Shipping food long distances also puts a strain on the environment. Shipping food uses large amounts of natural resources, such as fossil fuels, and contributes to pollution by creating large amounts of trash with extra packaging.

Commercial agriculture also uses many more resources and pollutes water, land, and air with toxic agricultural by-products. The food at farmers markets is usually transported shorter distances and is usually grown using methods that don’t impact the earth quite as much.

And don;t worry, for the carnivorous Bears looking to purchase meats as well, the farmers markets will definitely have what you need as well. And by buying from farmers markets, you’re usually supporting the humane treatment of animals. At the farmers market, you can find meats, cheeses, and eggs from animals that have been raised without hormones or antibiotics — those who have grazed on green grass and eaten natural diets, and who have been kept cramped in cages and other unnatural living conditions.

Buying from farmers markets sounds like the way to go! So, find your local farmers market for healthier options, to support farmers, the economy and the environment, and to support humane living conditions of animals.

If you’re in the D.C. area, Central Farm Markets is the way to go!

Central Farm Markets was founded in 2008 by Debra Moser and Mitch Berliner. Bethesda Central Farm Market was the first market, which began in a small parking lot with 17 vendors. Today Central Farm Markets has four farm markets in Maryland and Virginia.

Debra and Mitch’s mission is to provide a professionally managed community venue where customers can purchase high quality, locally grown fresh and prepared food, and to support agricultural innovation, green practices and sustainability.

Each market supports its local community with activities, events and programming that help to educate, give back and fight hunger. They are very proud of their mix of high quality vendors, their staff and the communities that support them!

You make a huge difference every time you buy local, adhere to green practices and support local farm innovation!