7 Reasons You Should Visit Your Local Farmers’ Market This Season

by Dr. Diana Hoppe April 14, 2021

Spring is here and with wonderful fruits and vegetables! Now we can start making delicious, healthy foods in our own kitchens, without the added salt or fats in store bought or fast-food orders.

I love to cook! One of my favorite foods to make is fresh PASTA! Fresh pasta is absolutely to die for – I use organic fresh eggs and Italian pasta flour from my nearby Italian deli. This flour is different from the flour we have in supermarkets because it doesn’t contain the same amount of gluten.

I also love to go to the local Farmer’s markets to get the freshest and most delicious fruit and produce.

I'm sharing a post written by a good friend of mine, Susan Brady, a nutritionist and founder of Nurtured Bones, a website highlighting the importance of nutrition necessary for bone health, healthy digestion and absorption of nutrients.

She gives us 7 reasons why we should visit our local Farmer’s Market – I shortened it a bit to make for a quicker read. Click HERE for the complete post.

7 reasons you should visit your local Farmers’ Market this season

1. Eating foods in season.

Seasonal produce not only tastes better but also provides higher concentrations of nutrients and anti-oxidants. There is also emerging research that suggests your gut microbiome also has seasonal variations. Incorporating seasonal freshly harvested foods into your diet, not only provides superior nourishment for your body but also helps to nurture your gut microbes.

2. Produce grown locally.

At a Farmers’ Market, you can find produce harvested at peak ripeness and often sold within 24 hours, making a perfect package of nutrition. Studies have shown that the vitamin C content of red peppers, tomatoes, apricots, peaches, and papayas is higher when these crops are picked fully ripe from the plant.

3. Greater variety.

Because local farmers don’t need to worry about the storage and transportation of their produce, they are more likely to prioritize taste and nutritional quality over durability when making varietal decisions. Therefore, Farmers’ Markets can offer a wider variety of local foods that you won’t typically find in supermarkets and restaurants.

4. Local farmers often farm organically.

Much of the produce and products found in traditional supermarkets are grown using pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and genetic modification, all of which can be detrimental to your health. In contrast, most produce found at Farmers’ Markets is grown organically and the meat, poultry, cheese, and eggs come from animals that have been raised without hormones or antibiotics, have eaten a natural diet, and have been allowed to graze freely.

5. Benefits the community.

By supporting your Farmers’ Market not only do you support your local farmer, but also boost the local economy by keeping dollars in the community and supporting local jobs.

6. Benefits the environment.

Food that is grown and sold locally travels a much shorter distance and doesn’t need the extra packaging for protection and presentation. Local farms are usually smaller and use farming techniques that minimize the impact on our environment.

7. Local raw honey.

Honey is a great example of the benefits of buying locally. Since raw, local honey comes from bees that pollinate local flowers, consumption of this honey can strengthen the immune system and reduce pollen allergy symptoms. Raw honey is also known for its natural vitamins and enzymes as well as for having anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties. Many experts believe that if local honey is eaten regularly, it can help reduce pollen allergies.

Susan encourages all of us to join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm and/or visit your local Farmer’s market.

Experience foods that not only taste better but are also more nutritious!

Thank you, Susan Brady, for your wonderful tips! Let’s go to the Farmer’s Market!

In health and happiness,

Dr. Diana