Hello everyone. My name is Kendra Keuper, a dietetic intern based in St. Augustine, Florida. I am currently finishing up my community rotation which has varied in sites from the YMCA to food pantries. I feel as though the greatest impact I have made thus far as an intern has been at my health fair booth at the local YMCA. The health fair involved many different aspects but one thing I really concentrated on was supporting local farmers markets.
Farmers markets have increased in number and popularity over the years and continue to evolve into a favorite place to gather and socialize in many communities. With a maturing farmer’s market system, USDA is focusing its support on sustainability and encouraging market development in underserved areas.
Supporting local farmers markets benefits not only farmers but also consumers. The following are the benefits of buying from local farmers markets:
Farmers markets have increased in number and popularity over the years and continue to evolve into a favorite place to gather and socialize in many communities. With a maturing farmer’s market system, USDA is focusing its support on sustainability and encouraging market development in underserved areas.
Supporting local farmers markets benefits not only farmers but also consumers. The following are the benefits of buying from local farmers markets:
- Farmer’s Markets sell seasonal produce so the food is in season and being picked at its peak, making it look and taste better.
- Buying food grown locally means less time traveling from farm to table and that translates into preserving nutrients.
- Fresh fruit and vegetables are full of cancer-fighting antioxidants and phytonutrients.
- Supporting local farms/business results in job creation and reinforces business networks.
- More local farmers results in increased local sales and real estate tax revenue.
- Buying food from farmers markets typically means less packaging.
- Waste, formed by agriculture fertilizer & wastewater, can pollute waterways and contribute to “dead zones”.
- Fruit and vegetable farming requires substantially less resources (water, fuel) and pollutants (manure, fertilizer) than meat and dairy production.
