Have you ever wondered why some produce tastes different throughout the year? Apples taste better in the fall, and watermelon is so fresh and juicy in the summer? Don’t worry, you’re not going crazy. You probably just haven't been to the greatest place ever aka the farmers market.

What are they?

Many people are uneducated about where their food comes from, and when foods are actually being sold in their proper/natural season.

Farmers markets do just that.

They sell the best and most vibrant fruits and veggies, and they are passionate enough about their products to tell a customer how an item was grown, cut, and transported.

The Experience

Farmers markets are one of the few places in the food industry where the product is sold to a customer directly from the farmer.

Many towns host their own markets, and people can come every weekend to get the produce they like. Since all the food is local, no two markets are the same. My farmers market in Chappaqua, NY sells items from fresh breads and beautiful veggies to homemade salad dressings and cheeses.

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Sam Jesner

On my most recent trip to the farmers market, I stumbled upon a booth for Deep Roots Farmer NY. I talked with the sweetest mother-daughter duo about their products, which had been cut the day before the farmers market. Talk about fresh!

They also introduced me to their scratch-made pickles, made with no dyes or preservatives. I wouldn’t really call myself an adventurous eater, so I was definitely surprised when I decided to lose my pickle virginity. I tried their Mexican spiced pickle and it was delicious! It was crunchy, tangy, and spicy. The process of pickling foods generally takes a while, so it was really cool to see a local’s take on the complex snack.

What's in season?

Aside from the awesome pickles I tried, I saw a lot of the same vegetables represented by so many farmers. The big summer veggies are lots of greens, radishes, turnips, beets, and carrots. Buying and cooking food from local farmers is so cool because the turnaround time from when a vegetable is plucked out of the ground to when it enters your mouth could be as short as a day or two.

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Sam Jesner

Benefits

There are a few other benefits to local shopping besides the freshness and the unbeatable taste.

Supporting local businesses keeps a small town’s economy strong. The money isn’t going to a big conglomerate like Perdue or Dole; it goes straight to the farmers themselves.

Frequently shopping at a farmers market not only creates a good customer/farmer relationship, but it helps communities grow and can be a very social activity. People bring their kids and their dogs, and it's such a nice relaxed way to spend time.

It’s understandable that some don’t want to change their routine grocery store experience, but there are so many wonderful businesses, people, and foods outside the four walls of a supermarket.