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| The girlfriend and I scored this catch of fresh produce last weekend. |
However, you might be in a situation like myself and find yourself unable to bear the upfront investment cost of subscribing to farm-shares. Maybe you are unfortunate enough to live somewhere that farm-share subscriptions are unavailable. Don't fret! There is another alternative and that would be your local farmer's market.
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| We were also able to pick up some fresh herb-plants of our own. Basil, Mint, Parsley and Chives! |
A farmer's market is a throw back to how produce was sold before the modern supermarket was developed. At a farmer's market there is a gathering of area farmers to sell their in-season and premier choices of crops, produce, dairy, poultry, and other livestock assortments. There is often personal crafts, furniture and baked goods available if that is your sort of thing.
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| We then made lunch using our findings from the market! Fresh Cucumbers, Carrots, Homemade/Paleo Chicken Salad, Raw Milk Cheese |
The farmer's market is usually only open on select days of the week, most often a once-a-week ordeal. The gatherings usually only occur during the growing and harvesting seasons, selling in-season produce that varies based on the season. I am not sure how things work in the southerly geographical locations but here in the northern aspect of the midwest there isn't a farmers market held during the winter months.
There are quite a few benefits of frequenting your local farmer's market and here are just a few of them...
Support Local - You get the benefit of supporting the actual producer of your goods directly. You directly support your local economy. You eliminate environmental detriments and costs associated with the transporting, preserving and selling this produce to distant supermarkets.
Knowing Your Grower and Grocer - There are a lot of potential benefits to buying directly from the man who grew your cucumbers or raised the chickens that laid the eggs for your omelet. You get to find out exactly went into producing your food. This allows you as a buyer to find foods to your specifications.
Eating by Season - As discussed yesterday, eating what is in-season is a great practice. Choosing your produce on a weekly basis from the farmer's market may be a limited selection at times but it forces to you eat what is fresh. This has helped me to open myself to trying things that I normally turn a blind-eye to at the grocery store.
Save Money - Over time, you may become a regular with some of the vendors at the farmer's market. This will allow you to get special orders, deals and a better ability to haggle for a better price!
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| Not made solely with everything from the market but it's one of our summer favorites. B.L.T. Salad with Avocado and Eggs. |
I recommend you try to find out about your own local farmer's market. I don't think you will be disappointed with the experience and the foods that you can find there! Some cities even have multiple farmer's market gatherings every week.
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