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"...without good farming there can be no good food; and without good food there can be no good life." - Alice Waters
"If you eat, soil is your business... The traditional bottom line does not assign a value to soil fertility or the long term sustainability of land and community. I believe it should." - On Good Land - The Autobiography of an Urban Farm, by Michael Ableman
A few more reasons to shop at a farmers market, and a few links to help you learn more:
1. Freshness, flavor and nutrition
All the fruits and vegetables at the markets are from local farms, grown in-season, in healthy soil, and picked ripe - giving us the best possible nutritional content, not to mention the best flavor.
Slow Food Seattle, Raw Network of Washington, Chefs Collaborative, Cullinate
2. Amazing variety
As a group, small family farms grow an incredibly varied mix of fruits and vegetables, contributing to an important and healthy genetic diversity in our food supply. And this means more choices for those of us who like to eat! At the markets you'll find dozens of different types of lettuces, braising greens, berries, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, tree fruits, melons, squashes and more. Many of these delicious varieties are simply not available in regular grocery stores.
You can check out what's on the market tables this week at the "Ripe 'n' Ready" page.
3. Food security and support of our local economy
Supporting local businesses helps keep our local economy strong. Preserving local farmland is also essential to regional food safety and well as food quality. (Farmland is being lost at an alarming rate all over the U.S. - supporting local farms is one way to slow down this dangerous trend.)
Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network
Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland
WSU's Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
Washington State Dept. of Agriculture
Washington State Farmers Market Association
Michael Pollan writes on Bioneers.org
4. Care of the environment
Well-managed farms provide important green spaces, water drainage, and habitat or buffers for wildlife in our state. When farms are paved over by developement, our environment deteriorates. Buying from local farms means less resources are wasted in getting food from farm to table.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Campaign
Online Environmental Community
Community Alliance for Global Justice
5. Community
The markets are safe, family-friendly gathering places where city residents meet friends and neighbors - and get to know the folks who grow our food. Farmers and urban shoppers learn from each other. Farmers markets also foster increased public participation in neighborhoods, and bring more shoppers to nearby businesses.
Cascade Foothills Farmland Association
City of Seattle Dept of Neighborhoods
Community Coalition for Environmental Justice
Newsletter 2007 Issue 4
Phinney Farmers Market opening May 16!
