The Joy of Farmers Markets

When you are dealing with food and agriculture everything is on a specific time frame. The crops are harvested and from that moment on the produce or food has a time limit before decomposition sets in. If it is headed to the grocery store then the time limit is definitely shorter once it reaches the consumers. You might have a few days before it goes bad. You can find a way around this problem though. By hitting some farmers markets you can get produce the day that it was picked and get to enjoy it far longer and without the worry of stores spraying them with chemicals to make them last longer.

Since 1994, the number of farmers markets has increased threefold. Many of the local farmers in some regions are taking advantage of farmer’s markets by selling organic produce. More and more people want produce that has not been sprayed with pesticides or has not been genetically tampered with. The USDA does its part by ensuring that these farmers are following the strict organic guidelines, with regard to labeling something organic.

Farmer’s markets are not just for produce. You will often find farmers of different varieties there. There may be a farmer selling organic honey. Another may be selling jellies or jams. You can find plants, flowers and sometimes even fresh meat or fish depending on how large the market is. It is not uncommon to find farmer’s markets on the East and West coast selling fresh seafood. You can pick up everything you need for dinner practically in one place.

If you want to know a real secret, most top chefs use local farmer’s markets to their advantage. They go out early in the morning before the crowds grow too large to get the best produce and miscellaneous goods for their special dishes. It is these small advantages that rocket many chefs into stardom. Diners want to know that they are getting the freshest food available.

If you have never been to any of the farmers markets near you, then you are really missing out on something great. If your town does not have one, then you can always try to visit some when you go on vacation. A great website to visit to find local farmer’s markets is www.localharvest.gov. You can put in your zip code and find the nearest market. Just make sure to go early so that you can buy the best items available.