Submitted by Bernie Allen, ADRC Nutrition Program Coordinator
The second week in August is National Farmers’ Market Week. Farmers’ markets help preserve farmland, enhance rural livelihoods, promote sustainability and increase access to fresh and healthy foods.
Here are just a few great reasons to get out and support your local Farmers’ Markets:
1. Taste Real, Fresh Flavors
The fruits and vegetables you purchase at the famers’ markets are the freshest and tastiest available. The fruit is allowed to ripen fully in the field and brought directly to you. There is no long distance shipping, and this produce is not sitting for weeks in storage. This food is fresh from the farm!
2. Support Family Farmers
Family farmers need your support. Small family farms often have a hard time competing in the food marketplace. Buying directly from farmers gives them a better return on their produce, and also gives them a fighting chance in today’s globalized economy.
3. Protect the Environment
Food in the United States travels an average of 1,500 miles to get to your plate. All this shipping uses a large amount of natural resources, which contributes to pollution. The shipping process also requires an immense amount of packaging. Food at the farmers’ market is transported shorter distances and is generally grown using methods that minimize on the impact on the earth.
4. Discover the “Spice of Life” – Variety
At the farmers’ market you typically find an amazing array of produce that you don’t see in your average grocery store. Some examples include: red and purple carrots, a rainbow of heirloom tomatoes, purple cauliflower, green garlic, watermelon radishes, quail eggs, maitake mushrooms and much, much more. It is a wonderful opportunity to savor the biodiversity of our planet.
5. Know Where Your Food Comes From
A regular trip to a farmers’ market is one of the best ways to connect with where your food comes from. Meeting and talking with farmers and food artisans is a great opportunity to learn more how and where food is produced.
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August Farmers’ Market Recipe: Dill Garden Salad
Recipe from tasteofhome.com
Ingredients:
• 3 cups chopped English cucumbers
• 1 large tomato, seeded and cut into ½-inch pieces
• 1 small sweet red pepper, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped sweet onion
• 3 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise
• 4 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 2-1/2 teaspoons snipped fresh dill
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, combine cucumbers, tomato, red pepper and onion.
2. In a small bowl, whisk mayonnaise, oil, sugar, vinegar, salt, garlic powder and pepper until blended. Stir in dill.
3. Spoon dressing over salad; toss to coat.
Prep/Total Time: 20 minutes • Servings: 6
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