Your partner in super-health: Farmer's Markets

You see them on the side of the road during spring and summer…little pop-up tents, or maybe just a few people selling fruits and vegetables out of the back of a truck.

Why do some farmers sell produce this way, on the side of the road or at open-air markets? Why not just sell in a nice, clean, air-conditioned store?

Well, for one thing, when farmers sell produce directly to you, they cut out the middle man. Organic foods do cost a bit more due to lower yields and smaller fruit and veggies, so buying directly from a farmer’s market can bring organics down into the affordable range for many families.

Better yet, you get to talk to the people who grow your food. You can ask them questions about what they fertilized it with, how they kept bugs away, and when they expect to get your favorite fruits in season.

A conversation with a farmer can be a wonderfully enlightening thing, and most of them are happy to offer recipes and cooking suggestions.

And then there’s the freshness aspect

Fruits and veggies at the farmer’s markets have usually been picked that very morning. You won’t get that from a store, where the average piece of food has traveled 3,000 miles to get there.
Gerry Morton, CEO of EnergyFirst, lists some seasonal produce you’re likely to find at farmer’s markets in June and July:

1. Blackberries, dewberries, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries
2. Cantaloupe
3. Watermelon
4. Tomatoes
5. Peaches
6. Fresh herbs: basil, cilantro, rosemary, thyme
7. Peppers such as jalapeno, serrano and habanero
8. Fresh farm-made cheeses
9. Grass-fed beef and similar healthy meats

Another wonderful benefit of buying from farmer’s markets is the local angle. Your money supports local farmers, and by eating food that is grown locally, you put yourself in harmony with your climate.
There is a reason that various fruits and vegetables come in season at certain times—they satisfy needs that our bodies have. In spring, many greens, lettuces and spinach varieties are ripe because we need rejuvenation from the winter.
In high summer, watermelons and cantaloupes packed with water cool us down and hydrate us. In winter, calorie-dense winter squash and nutrient-packed broccoli fuel us and keep us warm.
So take advantage of farmer’s markets to get in touch with local farmers and find out what’s growing in your area.
More tips on the benefits of healthy fruits and vegetables can be found by visiting: Organic foods - worth the extra cost?