The Sacramento region is home to a glorious abundance of neighborhood farmers markets. Filled with just-picked fruits and vegetables, preserves, baked items, honey and —often—olive oils, wine and cheeses, the farmers market is a colorful cornucopia of the beautiful food grown and produced in our region. And while there are many reasons to scramble out of bed a little early to visit a farmers market, here are five compelling ones:
1. Teach your kids (and yourself) about the beautiful variety of seasonal produce. The fruits and vegetables you see in a chain grocery store are just a fraction of what is actually available to you. Local farmers that sell direct to consumers at a farmers’ market often grow interesting heirloom or unusual varieties that have been selected because they possess a superior flavor. (Ever tried a striped tomato, a golden raspberry or a bright orange, pumpkin-shaped eggplant?) The produce you find at the farmers market is also riper than what you can get in the grocery store—there’s nothing quite like eating a fragrant, just-pulled-from-the-tree peach or plum.
2. Get some cooking tips right from the source. If you don’t know how to prepare the fresh, seasonal produce you buy at the market, the farmers who grow it are a wonderful source of information. Since they cook their products year-round for their own families, they have lots of experience. Many even have recipes that they will hand out to you. Don’t be afraid to ask—they love to talk about their fruits and vegetables!
3. It’s important to know where your food comes from. According to the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture, food in the U.S. travels an average of 1,500 miles to get to your plate. Additionally, conventional agriculture also uses many more resources than sustainable agriculture and pollutes water, land and air with toxic agricultural by-products. But food at the farmers market, since it’s grown locally, is transported shorter distances to the consumer and is usually grown using methods that minimize the impact on the earth. Wouldn’t you rather eat a just-plucked carrot from a local farmer (who you can talk to) than an old carrot that’s been transported halfway across the country?
4. When you buy local food, you support local farm families. It’s hard work to run a small farm—not only is it physically demanding, but it’s tough to compete in today’s food marketplace. Small farmers are dedicated and passionate about providing nutritious, flavorful food for their communities. When we buy locally, we can help those farm families afford to stay on their farms and to participate meaningfully in our community.
5. Connect with your neighbors and friends. Perhaps you wave to your neighbors as you drive off to work, or e-mail with friends because you just can’t find the time to visit with them. The farmers market is a great venue in which to get to know your neighbors a little better (while swapping broccoli recipes) or re-connect with old friends. Grab a fresh apricot or just-baked cinnamon roll and catch up as you stroll through the stalls of colorful, fresh produce.
Markets in Sacramento Valley Region Listed by Market Day
» Hard Hat Ball Sutter Medical Center presented its inaugural Hard Hat Ball on the top floor of the Sutter Community Garage. Proceeds benefited Sutter Children’s Center.
» Hard Hat Ball
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