Farmers Markets: Good for You and Your Community Mississippi has close to 100 farmers marketsÑone in almost every county. Some counties have two or more! Local shoppers are buying locally grown, healthy, and fresh produce from these markets becauseÉ ¥ they donÕt have to travel far. ¥ the fruits and vegetables are high-quality. ¥ the produce is fresher. ¥ the produce is often more nutritious becauseÊ it is fresher. ¥ the money spent stays in the local community. Shop at your local farmers market! Supporting Your farmers Market. Great sources for local produce. When you shop at the farmers market, youÕll beÉ EATING LOCAL Buying local decreases Òfood miles,Ó or the distance food is transported across the country or from other countries. This benefits the environment because energy consumption and fossil fuel pollution are reduced. EATING SEASONALLY Shopping at farmers markets puts seasonal produce on your table. Fruits and vegetables that are harvested and enjoyed during the season cost less and taste better. EATING FRESH Most participating farmers harvest their produce the day before or the morning of the market, so the fresh produce is richer in vitamins and tastes better than fruits and vegetables that have traveled many miles. Farmers market shoppers can get the freshest foods in town. Your community will benefit byÉ INCREASING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY Shoppers at farmers markets are supporting family farmers, who often sell directly to the consumers. By eliminating brokers, distributors, and shippers, local growers get to keep a larger portion of the sales price, which supports the local economy. CREATING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Most markets provide cooking tips, recipes,and meal ideas. Shoppers and vendors enjoyÊ the personal visits that occur during farmersmarket hours. DEVELOPING A HEALTHIER POPULATION Many farmers markets require produce to be locally grown, which generally means within the same county or neighboring counties. Fresh produce is likely much richer in vitamins and often tastes better. Farmers markets vary in when they are open, how many vendors there are on each day, what kinds of produce are for sale, and whether they include organic fruits and vegetables. Call the market to be sure. Locate farmers markets in your local area: msuext.ms/vu0u5 extension.msstate.edu M2027 (10M-03-18) Copyright 2018 by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved. This publication may be copied and distributed without alteration for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Produced by Agricultural Communications. Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. GARY B. JACKSON, Director