10 Reasons We Love Farmer's Markets

Autumn is known as a time for chunky sweaters, pumpkin patches, pecan pies, apple picking, hay bale rides and farmer’s markets. Farmer’s markets in particular are an autumn tradition for many in the Virginia and West Virginia area, and a beloved fall activity of many Living Arcadia residents. Read on to see why we love shopping at local farmer’s markets this fall!

1. Fresher Food, Healthier Life!
At farmer’s markets you’ll find the freshest food around. Produce at Farmer’s markets specifically is able to grow until it is perfectly ripe, because it is only going down to road to be sold—at times hours after it is picked! Locally grown food tends to have superior levels of protein, vitamins and minerals—meaning you are getting healthier, higher quality food than you would find at your local grocery store or supermarket.

The mindset and produce itself at farmer’s markets tend to encourage shoppers to buy smarter, better quality foods, however they are also buying more fruits and vegetables than they would be at the supermarket. With farmer’s displays of bins and baskets full of fresh, ripe higher quality produce, it’s hard not to find yourself eating more fruits and vegetables!

2. Shop Organic and Boost Your Nutrition
Farmer’s Markets tend to draw vendors who grow organic product. In addition to organic vendor’s produce being fresh, their food is also free of synthetic pesticides and minimally processed. On the other hand, a large portion of food found at grocery stores and supermarkets is highly processed and grown with hormones, pesticides and more.

Many farmers who sell at farmer’s markets are committed to taking the additional steps necessary to grow the most nutritious, healthy food possible using sustainable, organic techniques.

3. Knowing Where Your Food Comes From
Farmer’s markets are a great place to learn more about your food than anywhere else. Markets like this give you the opportunity to meet and talk to the farmers themselves that grew your food. You can learn more about how the food you are buying is made, where it’s from and much more!

4. Always Locally Grown
As previously mentioned, farmer’s markets are home to local farmers looking to sell their produce. Their fruits and vegetables are able to fully ripen and have no need for added preservatives, as there is no long distance shipping or sitting for weeks in storage involved! Food at farmer’s markets are as real as it gets—it’s fresh from the farm.

5. Enjoy the Seasons
Another great thing about farmer’s markets—the food is always in tune with the season. Since farmers are local and only sell fresh, quality food they can only offer food that can be grown that time of year. Shopping at farmer’s markets also help shoppers reconnect with the seasons and find produce native to their region.

6. Help the Environment
Buying locally is better for the environment, simply because there is less effort involved in getting food found at a farmer’s market from the farm to the market. Since the food found at farmer’s markets doesn’t have to be shipped long distances the only fuel used is by the farmer to drive to the market, compared to the fuel wasted to ship food to supermarkets around the world.

All in all—buying local requires significantly less fuel and produces less CO2 emissions. Not only are you improving your family’s health by buying fresher, healthier food from farmer’s markets, but you are making a positive impact on the environment as well!

7. Save Money!
As previously mentioned, when shopping at farmer’s markets you are dealing directly with the farmer. This model eliminates the middle man, so there are no additional mark-ups to account for long-distance shipping, storage, supermarket expenses, etc. Between the higher nutritional value at farmer’s markets and irritating grocery store mark-ups, you clearly get more bang for your buck at farmer’s markets!

8. Support Local Farmers, Your Local Economy
Nowadays, farmers (especially sustainable farmers) are struggling to survive. When you shop at your local farmer’s market you are paying the farmer directly, which not only keeps small farms alive, but also strengthens the local economy!

9. Find New Recipes
When shopping in a chain grocery store, you will rarely find a cashier or produce stocker who will give you tips on how to cook the ingredients you buy, but at farmer’s markets that is not the case. Those who shop at farmer’s markets find a number of farmers eager to share recipes they have found work well with their produce! Especially for those new to farmer’s markets and not as adapted to buying in-season foods, farmers are helpful resources for finding which in-season foods pair well together.

10. Discover New Foods!
Farmer’s markets offer a significantly wider array of produce than most supermarkets, which makes the chance that you will discover new, exciting foods while shopping even more likely! Whether you are browsing the produce or conversing with farmers and others in the market, you’ll find something new at your local farmer’s market every week!

Local Farmer’s Markets
Residents of Living Arcadia communities are fortunate to live near a number of well-known, local farmer’s markets. Below you can find a few farmer’s markets in close proximity to each of our communities.

Arcadia Chase (Charles Town, WV)
Charles Town Farmer’s Market (Charles Town, WV)
They offer a wide variety of fresh local produce items, baked goods, meats, honey, coffee, dairy and much more.

Arcadia Fieldstone (Winchester, VA)
Freight Station Farmer’s Market (Winchester, VA)
Open year round at least two days a week, and offers a wide selections of fruits, vegetables, dairy and more.

Arcadia Springs (Martinsburg, WV)
Shepherdstown Farm’s Market (Shepherdstown, WV)
This farmer’s market is open every Sunday with 18+ vendors.

Inwood Farmer’s Market (Inwood, WV)
Features locally grown food, West Virginia jams, BBQ Sauces, and apple butters. This market is also home to one of the largest selections of West Virginia wines in the area, and is open year-round Monday through Saturday.

Arcadia at Willowsford (Ashburn, VA)
Cascades Farmer’s Market (Sterling, VA)
Offers only local, organic foods every Sunday through the end of November.

Leesburg Winter Farmer’s Market (Leesburg, VA)
Offers only the best local food and runs year-round, open every Saturday and Sunday.

Taking advantage of the fresh produce at local Virginia and West Virginia farmer’s markets is one of the many benefits of living in a Living Arcadia community. For more information about the local farmer’s markets in your area, visit Local Harvest. Enjoy all that the region has to offer and check out Living Arcadia’s communities in Virginia and West Virginia today!

Sources

http://www.cuesa.org/learn/10-reasons-support-farmers-markets

http://inspiyr.com/local-farmers-market/

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/04/18/top-10-reasons-to-buy-food-at-f...