We all know that fruits and vegetables are essential to healthy living and should make up a hefty portion of our daily intake, but sometimes it can be a struggle to know what to buy or how to incorporate it into our meals. If you’re trying to make mealtimes healthier, buying your produce, meat and herbs from a farmer’s market is a great place to start. Fairfield County is fortunate to have several farmer’s markets where vendors come together each week to offer, fruits, vegetables, flowers, crafts and more. Below are three reasons why shopping at your local farmer’s market is a wise decision for the health of you and your family:
1. It’s fresh
Fruits and vegetables are often picked by local farmers just a day or two before a farmer’s market so they’re at their freshest and tastiest. Supermarket produce, on the other hand, travels an average of 1,500 miles from the farm to the store after being packaged and stored in distribution centers. All those extra steps can rob produce of its healthful nutrients and natural taste. “The minute you pick something, it starts losing its nutritional value,” said Emily Schmelzer, supervisor of Nutrition Therapy at Fairfield Medical Center. “The quality of fruit and vegetables from our local grocery stores is excellent, but nothing beats the nutritional value and taste of farm-to-table.”
As an added plus, all the produce you buy at a farmer’s market is in season, so it’s not only at its peak for nutrition and taste, but it can last longer once you get it home.
2. It helps the local economy and the environment
Did you know that there are more than 77,000 farms in Ohio? Local family farms are essential to our food supply, our economy, and the rural character of central Ohio. Shopping at a farmer’s market not only supports farmers financially, but they in turn spend money to sustain their business. This includes purchasing feed, fuel, fertilizer, seed, equipment, supplies, farm-related services, and everyday family living needs from other businesses in this area, further enriching our region. There are environmental benefits, too. When food travels shorter distances, less fuel is burned, and there are fewer emissions from refrigerated trucks.
3. It’s educational
Browsing the farmer’s market can inspire a greater variety of healthier food choices and offers a wonderful learning experience for the whole family. Kids especially are in awe when they see food in its natural state rather than the packaged and processed version. This can spark interest and curiosity that can lead to trying a broader range of food choices – even for the pickiest of eaters! Best of all, you can speak directly with the farmers who grow and supply the food, and they can tell you everything you want to know down to the quality of their soil, how they clean and handle the food, and how to identify the best and freshest produce. Some may even invite you to visit their farm to learn more!
To talk to a dietitian, visit our page at fmchealth.org/services/outpatient-therapy-care/nutrition-therapy/.
To find a farmer’s market in your area, visit ohioproud.org/farm-markets-all/