By Kayla Vit
Houston County
Public Health Intern
Aug. 7-13 marks National Farmers Market Week. Hosted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC), this 17th annual event honors and celebrates farmers markets around the country.
Celebrate farmers markets
The need and demand for farmers markets have exploded in the past decade. Since 2009, the Obama administration has invested close to $1 billion in local food businesses with the hopes of making food more fresh, affordable, convenient, local, and healthy for consumers. This resulted in the number of farmers markets more than doubling in the United States.
Local economies
While it’s now known that farmers markets improve the overall health of communities and increase access to nutritious foods, there are many other benefits that can be overlooked. For instance, local economies are stimulated by farmers markets. Nearly all wage income earned in local market is retained in the local economy. In fact, for every $100 spent at a farmers market, $62 stays in local economy, and $99 stays in the state.
Straight from the source
In addition, all products (fruits, vegetables, baked goods, canned goods, etc.) come straight from the farmer themselves. Nearly half of markets sell organically labeled products and many more sell chemical or pesticide-free labeled products, making the foods clean and nutritious.
Moreover, the farmer knows their product. They can tell you about their foods, the best way to grow it and store it, and even possible recipes, making it easy to use any produce you buy.
Try new foods
Farmers markets can also be fun. Many markets offer taste tests, games and activities for kids, live music and cooking demonstrations. The Farmers Market Coalition also found that those who shop at farmers markets have 15-20 more social interactions than at a store; making shopping at a market a great way to teach, learn, and catch up with friends and neighbors.
Visit this week
The best way to increase farmers market benefits is to attend. If you have not been to a farmers market, this week is a great time to start. Here are a few tips to begin your experience:
Plan what time to shop. If you would like the best quality selection of produce, go early as popular items can sell out quickly. Conversely, vendors are often willing to sell for less near the end of the day, so if you are searching for deals, attend later.
Know some markets accept EBT, credit or debit cards. The La Crescent farmers market allows those with SNAP/EBT to convert their SNAP/EBT money into Market Bucks that can be spent at the market. Up to $10 can be spent on fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, honey, jams, pickles, sauces, baked goods and seeds.
Pay in cash and bring bags. Not every farmer’s market can take credit or debit cards, so it is good to have small change of cash on hand. It is also good to bring your own bags as not all vendors provide bags to shoppers.
Try all the farmers markets! There can be different products at each farmers market, so feel free to explore. There are three farmers markets offered in Houston County, so celebrate National Farmers Market Week and try to attend them all!
• Caledonia Farmers Market, Wednesdays, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., State 44/76 Redwood parking lot, Caledonia.
• Hokah Root River Junction Farmers Market, Mondays, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Highway 16 and 44, Hokah, across from Kwik Trip.
• La Crescent Farmers Market, Tuesdays, 4 to 7 p.m., 420 South 2nd Street, La Crescent, Crucifixion School parking lot. Accepts EBT, credit and debit cards.