One of the many questions that Rick and I are asked about raw food is where to find it at reasonable prices. In my last blog post, I wrote about wholesale produce markets, which can really help one save money when produce is purchased in quantity, providing that one has access to a wholesale produce market. What about areas where one does not have access to such a place? One alternative is a local farmers market.
We love farmers markets. They are a great place find locally grown produce and to interact with the farmers directly, if they are present to sell their produce personally – and many of them do so. Numerous times I have asked the farmers about their food producing techniques, an opportunity that I find to be very valuable. For me, this is a great way to have knowledge of how our food is produced and how it is handled. I have also found the food to be exceptionally fresh! An average head of lettuce purchased at our local farmers market lasts about 2 weeks before showing signs of withering. Produce that I buy at our local farmers market is often picked the same day that I buy it – how much more fresh can one get! Given that our diets are based on fresh produce, Rick and I buy in large quantities, and many of the farmers often give us a price break on the food we buy. Several of the farmers from whom we buy know us by name and actually anticipate our arrival at the market, by putting aside the usual foods that we buy from them. Talk about personal service – we really enjoy having a personal connection with the people from whom we buy food!
Since we live in northern California, our local farmers markets are open year round. In other areas, we have noticed that farmers markets depend on the local growing season and produce availability. Similarly, the variety of produce at our local farmers market depends on the type of food being grown locally at the time. For example, winter is a great time to find oranges, fall and early winter is the best time to find locally grown almonds, and of course summer is the most abundant season of all! Here, Rick and I can get lettuce and other green leafy vegetables at our farmers market year round, along with a variety of other fruits and vegetables. Such availability makes eating a produce-based diet much simpler.
It is wonderful to see that farmers markets appear to have gained popularity in the last 5+ years, especially in areas that did not have such markets several years ago. It is great to see that the trend of eating more locally grown food and supporting local farmers directly is continuing to grow. I hope that one day this is no longer a trend, but a mainstay in our communities.
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