By SAND Member Alannah McBreen
What are some sure signs of spring? Warm breezes, budding flowers, and an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables at your local Farmers Market. Buying produce at a local Farmers Market is not simply a fun thing to do on a lazy Saturday morning, it is also a nutritionally smart idea. Besides the fact that most of the foods taste better, you'll get more of a nutritional wallop from fruits and vegetables that have literally been pulled from the ground or plucked from the vine only days or hours before you buy them.
Why should you buy fruits and vegetables at a Farmers Market?
Where can I find a good local Farmers Market?
Is there a good Farmers Market in Oxford?
What are some "in season" fruits and vegetables to look for this Spring?
Happy shopping!
Resources:
http://www.nutrition.gov/farmers-markets
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/key-nutrients-in-fruits-and-vegetables
https://ofbf.org/whats-in-season/
What are some sure signs of spring? Warm breezes, budding flowers, and an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables at your local Farmers Market. Buying produce at a local Farmers Market is not simply a fun thing to do on a lazy Saturday morning, it is also a nutritionally smart idea. Besides the fact that most of the foods taste better, you'll get more of a nutritional wallop from fruits and vegetables that have literally been pulled from the ground or plucked from the vine only days or hours before you buy them.
Why should you buy fruits and vegetables at a Farmers Market?
- First, all of the produce is "in season" and has just been picked so it's at its peak in terms of flavor and nutrients. Freshly picked fruits and vegetables are important sources of potassium, magnesium, iron, dietary fiber, folate (folic acid), vitamin A and vitamin C, as well as antioxidants. These nutrients help decrease the risk of coronary artery disease, help maintain healthy bones, teeth, eyes and skin, and are necessary for normal cell function throughout the body.
- The fruits and vegetables from your Farmers Market are locally sourced so unlike much of the produce at your supermarket, they won't have lost any of their nutritional value during shipment. Produce that is shipped from faraway locations is typically picked before it is ripe, which can stunt the development of some vitamins and minerals. Also, during long cross-country shipments, fruits and vegetables are exposed to heat and light, which degrade nutrients such as vitamin C and vitamin B thiamin. The produce you buy at the Farmers Market comes directly from local farmers so it’s just as fresh as the fruits and vegetables you cultivate from your own garden.
- The produce is generally cheaper than what you'll find in a supermarket because everything is "in season” and locally grown so you aren’t paying for the cost of shipment.
- You can talk to the sellers directly about the best ways to prepare certain foods and you might even be persuaded to try something new! Most Farmers Markets also offer wide selections of farm-raised meats, eggs, homemade cheeses, breads and even items like natural soaps and beeswax candles.
- Finally, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you are supporting local farmers and in the process helping to strengthen your community.
Where can I find a good local Farmers Market?
- Check local newspapers, online, flyers posted around town.
- Use the USDA's Farmers Market Search: https://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/farmersmarkets
Is there a good Farmers Market in Oxford?
- Yes, the Oxford Farmers Market Uptown is open every Saturday from 8:00am to 12:00pm, beginning early May to Fall, at Main & High Streets in the parking lot behind Memorial Park.
What are some "in season" fruits and vegetables to look for this Spring?
- Asparagus, cabbage, kale, mustard greens, radishes, rhubarb, spinach and strawberries.
Happy shopping!
Resources:
http://www.nutrition.gov/farmers-markets
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/key-nutrients-in-fruits-and-vegetables
https://ofbf.org/whats-in-season/