Organic Farmers MarketOrganic Foods, Green Products, Books & Farming Information

Do you prefer fruits/veggies from a Farmer’s Market, or can you get same freshness & quality from your store?

Unless you ask, and trust their honesty, how else do you know if food from a Farmer’s Market is organic?

Veggies sold at farmers markets that are grown by the sellers are always fresher than anything you can buy at the grocery and thus far more nutritious and flavorful. Add to that that you buy unusual varieties that will not put up with shipping and you have food quality the industrial food system cannot touch.

You can always ask to see the organic certification papers is the farmer is using the term “organic” referring to their produce. Anyone using the term organic must be certified by a USDA bonafide certified and must have their papers available for inspection anywhere they sell their produce. The farmers markets where I sell produce there are several certified organic growers.

You also can talk to the grower face to face, something you cannot do at any grocery store. For kicks ask the produce person at Wal-Mart anything about the organic veggies-you will get a blank face from most as they have no idea what they are selling. You will not get that from any farmer that grew the food they are selling. And the not certified organic growers will be happy to answer any and all questions you may have about their farm and growing practises. I have, for years, told my customers to come out and see the farm for them selves. Far too few have taken me up on the offer.

By learning about organic methods and developing a series of questions to ask growers at the Farmers Market you will become far more engaged with the food you eat.

Another question to ask at some farmers markets is “Did you grow that?” Some markets do allow reselling and these guys generally get their produce from the same source as the groceries in your area and try to pawn that off as stuff they grew or at least local.

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