8 Reasons Why You Should Visit Your Local Farmers’ Market

Visiting your local farmers’ market is good for you, your family, your community, and our world. We have some great markets in Austin!

From the wide grins on our faces as we loaded the overflowing bags into the car, we looked like we had just come from a candy store.

Boyfriend and I eat relatively healthy by preference. Our meals are full of vegetables and protein, all organic if possible. (Remember when we did Whole30 last summer?) And despite researching the best cupcakes in Austin for the blog and attending sweets-heavy media events, my sweet tooth cravings are minimal.

We are health-conscious, local-loving, reusable-bag-carrying people. We eat farmers’ markets up!

I want to make going to the farmers’ market a regular thing, and I encourage you to try it out too! Basically you get big karma points for visiting your local farmers’ market. It’s good for you, your family, your community, and our world. Not sure why? Read on!

8 Reasons Why You Should Visit Your Local Farmers’ Market

1. Discover new products.
Pomegranate ginger beer? All the different types of kale? Pierogies? Walking around a farmers’ market will introduce you to new ingredients and products. Ask a vendor for a sample or recipe and then purchase to enjoy at home!

2. Save the environment.
The goods you buy at the grocery store travel a long way to get there. The big truck they sit on uses fossil fuels which cause pollution. Big companies also use packaging that turns into trash. Farmers at the market come from shorter distances and most don’t use packaging or use reusable bottles.

3. Enjoy the outdoors.
Hello, vitamin D and fresh air! I don’t get outside enough, and I know it makes me much happier when I do. So, go get some fresh air as you enjoy all the other benefits on this list.

4. Improve your health.
Locally grown is more nutritious. If you ever talk to a local farmer, you’ll hear the passion in their voice. The produce is as natural, organic, non-GMO, and all the other good terms, as possible. There are fewer pesticides present and more careful growing results in more nutrition-filled produce. You’ll also find more health-conscious products at the farmers’ market.

5. Enjoy a better tasting product.
More nutritious food means a better tasting product. When things are grown in the wild and with love, they grow to their full potential. Produce tends to be bigger, juicer, or whatever their “best” is.

6. Learn about seasonal products.
You’ll find seasonal products at the farmers market. Your region’s climate is suited for certain products in each season. It’s a fun challenge to take your newly discovered ingredients and cook with them!

7. Save money.
When you buy straight from the source without a middle man (grocery store or retailer), you’re getting a discount. Your wallet thanks you in advance.

8. Support your local makers and farmers.
Products and produce sold at a farmers market came out of love. These makers and farmers are passionate and prideful about their product and work hard to create it. Many times, companies start selling at a farmers market before they can open their own storefront or start selling at a retailer.

Farmers’ Markets in Austin

• a.k.a. mixology: My friend Alicia makes fresh and natural clarified juices perfect to use as a mixer or add to a recipe.
• Johnson’s Backyard Garden: This farm’s selection is always plentiful!
• Dulcis Milks: These organic almond milks are so satisfying! I recommend the Golden Child, which includes a nice blend of spices.
• Pure Luck Dairy: Cheese, please!
• Kitchen Pride Mushrooms: Incredible mushrooms!
• Cake and Spoon: You’ve got to try their scones and quiches.
• SoCo Ginger Beer: This all natural ginger beer has me hooked.

Have you ever been to a farmers’ market? What did you like about it?

P.S. One of my favorite travel tips is to visit a city’s farmers’ market. You can learn so much about the city and culture by seeing what they eat. Plus, walking around a farmers’ market is a free activity AND you may end up finding some of the best eats there.

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