Plenty of Benefits from Farmers Markets |
Fresh Food at the Dallas Farmers Market (photo by Doug Ferber)
We’ve long been extolling the virtues of shopping at farmers markets and supporting local family farms. Not only do you get produce at its freshest and most nutritious, you get the pleasure of talking with the farmers and learning more about the food.
A study from the University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP) has us more convinced than ever that we’re on the right path with our enthusiastic support. The UC researchers found that farmers, communities, and individual residents are all beneficiaries of local farmers markets. The study also found astonishing growth in farmers markets. In 1970 there were only 340 farmers markets in the United States; by 2006, there were 4,385.
The markets help farmers sell their products in local communities for higher prices than they could get from wholesalers, according to Gail Feenstra of SAREP. She further explains, "Farmers benefit from the ability to sell smaller and variable quantities, and learn the skills they need to increase their business."
Communities that support farmers markets have a positive influence on their local economies. Feenstra says farmers markets not only encourage economic transactions on their premises, but also bring customers into town where they make purchases at other businesses. Besides being good for local businesses, she says the social benefit of the markets can't be overestimated. She found farmers markets to be a major source of interaction, both between farmers and their customers, and among the market visitors.
Individuals said they benefit from patronizing farmers markets by their ability to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, and meat, and value-added items such as baked goods, olive oil, jam and salad dressing. Customers interviewed by Feenstra expressed positive feelings about buying food they believe to be clean and safe from farmers they know.
If you'd like to read more about the UC study cited above go to: UC researcher: farmers markets benefit local economies
To listen to a podcast interview with the President of the Dallas Farmers Market Friends go to: Friends of the Dallas Farmers Market Podcast
To view previous posts on the topic of farmers markets click on the following:
1. Farmers Markets Growing Across the Country
2. Buying Local Grows on Food Safety Concerns
3. New Orleans' Old French Market Ready to Re-Open
