The Farmer's Market (Not just for Lettuce Heads)
   Tracy Tallman

  Quick Facts List:

1. A farmer’s market is basically just a group of local vendors dedicated to providing customers with organic homegrown and homemade products.
2. Farmer’s markets sell things like fresh pastries and homemade soaps and perfumes, and anything in between.
3. Along with the vendors come arts and crafts, masseuses, and live musical performers, so there’s a little something for everyone.
4. Today, 3,100 farmer’s markets operate in the U.S., which means that every year they are expanding thanks to you!
5. The markets are usually set up outdoors, in a local park or garden, so feel free to bring along your pet.
6. The biggest advantage of the Farmer’s market is that everything sold is fresh and organic, so you don’t have to worry about the fruits and veggies spoiling a week after purchasing them; they have a much longer shelf-life than those at the grocery store.
 

Tracy Tallman
Living Well Columnist

This column is devoted to delivering info that'll keep you living better, naturally, and healthy.

Questions? Feel free at tracy@enliv.com
 

Looking for a unique and environmental-friendly holiday gift? Try your local
farmer’s market. I know what you’re thinking: “Farmer’s markets are for tree-huggers and veggie-lovers.” In actuality, there are a wide variety of items sold at the markets, ranging seasonally from organic produce, tropical and native plants, herbs and flowers, exquisite artwork, hemp products, and homemade jewelry; the list doesn’t stop there. The best part about the markets is that family farmers locally grow and make all of the produce; it is not shipped cross-country and left on your supermarket shelves for weeks.

What makes farmer’s markets different from local grocers is that the buyer has the advantage of asking any questions he or she might have about the products, and the answers come directly from the producer. Another advantage of farmer’s markets is the prices; locally grown produce is usually much cheaper than produce shipped to the grocery store. Farmer’s markets are bringing back local farmers and giving them a chance to sell their products, as opposed to buying products that are genetically modified and made with numerous dyes and other toxins. By contributing to the markets, you are not only giving economic support to your neighborhood farmers, you are giving back to the environment.


One of the characteristics of the market that makes it so appealing is the activity list. Most markets come complete with musical performers, arts and crafts, small gardens, massage therapy, and anything else you can think of to heal the mind and body. What better way to spend an autumn afternoon than with a friend or pet, shopping and mingling with your neighbors?

Today, 3,100 farmer’s markets operate in the United States; so, chances are there’s one close to your home. Most markets are seasonal; check with the market’s sponsor for times of the year that the market will be up and running. Remember, farmer’s markets are not just for vegans looking for a good Boca-burger (no offense); they are a fun way to wind-down by listening to live music, enjoying the local art, and of course, shopping.

To find a farmer’s market near you, visit the website: www.almanac.com/garden/farmersmarket.html.

Special thanks to the following:

ECO Store of Orlando, Florida, an environmental action company working for a cause and helping find a solution. For more information on fair trade, visit their website at www.eco-store.com.

East Orlando Farmer’s Market
Sponsored by:

Center City Lenders
Kimberly Theisen

Avalon Reality Group
John Alexandrou