Farmers Markets, Wonderful For All!

If you are a NYC dweller, you have probably walked by at least one farmers market at some point. If you haven't may I suggest seeking them out here!

There are few things more despised by some people than the farmers market. Personally, I blame the McCarthy Era and its anti-communism hysteria that resulted in people thinking of Farmers markets as pockets of communist thinkers who just all want to get along with their neighbors and sell them wholesome food. I also blame big grocery stores that have somehow gotten America to have a Pavlovian response to shiny waxy fruit and vegetables that are misted by the little sprayers every ten minutes or so. As a kid I used to attempt to rush over and get my hands wet before they stopped, but I digress.

The best part about farmers markets is that the things you buy are from local farms. Yes, sometimes the veggies are dirty, but that's because they were just picked! Everything is in season, which means nothing has been shipped, boxed up with butter sauce, or preserved with wax.

It is as fresh as can be. Getting fruits, veggies, and fish at farmers markets is a great way to have a naturally varied diet too. The main reason is that different fruits, vegetables, and fish come into season at different times. Even if you only got apples at a farmers market, the apples available in May are not the same varieties available in September. So what this means is that a person eating only what locally can be grown or caught will have a varied diet, going along with the whole mantra of nutritionists: 'Everything in moderation.' Not to mention that the nutritional value of food is best when it is just picked or caught, giving you more bang for your bite!

Speaking of everything, farmers markets have it all. Aside from the classic fruits and veggies, farmers markets also have Eggs, Bread, Cheese, Meat, Fish, Wine, Fresh Flowers, Plants, Honey, Jams, and so so so much more! Many of the foods are organic. A lot of the farmers of meat offer tours of their farms, so you can check conditions out yourself if you'd like. The fish is all wild caught, straight from the local waters, which means it is heavily regulated and sustainable.

So really, you have nothing to lose by incorporating farmers markets into your shopping regimen. They offer so many benefits health wise, help support the local economy and farmers, and is a great way to spend an hour or two. You may even find yourself only going to box stores for a couple of things rather than everything!

Allison