The Beauty of A Farmers Market

How often have you made a quick trip to the supermarket to pick up something that you needed? It might be a head of lettuce for the salad that you intend to serve with dinner. The point is that you have the luxury of simply running to the store to pick up whatever you want and some places are even open twenty-four hours a day. It was not always this easy. In the not so distant past, the only way to get those fresh vegetables was to either buy them at a farmers market or grow them yourself. Most families depended on their own garden for the food they needed to last the winter.

Food and agriculture has always been around but it was not until 1916 that the first self service supermarket was introduced. Clarence Saunders opened up his Piggly Wiggly chain in Memphis, Tennessee. It was not the “total” supermarket that you find today because fresh meat and produce were not sold, only canned and boxed goods. The expansion to selling meat and produce came from Michael J. Cullen in 1930. His King Kullen grocery stores were a hit and many other companies adopted the same ideas for selling everything that a family could need.

Unfortunately the farmers market took a decline. Chemical substances were used to kill pests, especially insects, and even though there was a small movement against the use of these pesticides, most people found it more convenient to simply buy from a supermarket. With the organic movement, more small farmers are able to sell their produce at local farmers’ markets. In 1994 there were an estimated 1,755 markets in the United States. By 2006, the number of markets has more than doubled to a whopping 4,385.

Small produce stands and farmers’ markets cannot compete against supermarkets. But that is not their purpose. The market for fresh, organically grown produce is about safety and trying to keep the environment safe while still enjoying locally grown vegetables and produce. Small farmers find that they can sell their produce for a fair, marketable price and keep their operation in business.

Missing out on a farmers market is a real shame. You can find so many items at the market. It is not just for produce. You can find crafts, jams, jellies and plants to bring home with you. Your whole family will have a great time. If you do not know where a market is located, you can check out the website www.farmersmarket.com to find one located near you.