Why Choose Farmers Markets?

We all know how important fruits and vegetables are to our diets; I’m sure “finish your broccoli!” is a phrase we can all say we’ve heard more than once throughout our lives. I have come to find true love for fruits and vegetables and their incredible nutritional values. The vitamins and minerals found in fruits in veggies are truly essential to our diets and healthy lifestyles; our body needs them to thrive.

The quality and freshness of our vegetables and fruits are important to get the max amount of minerals and nutrients. This is why I make it a priority to shop at farmers markets as often as possible. “Most food found at the farmers market is minimally processed, and many of our farmers go to great lengths to grow the most nutritious produce possible by using sustainable techniques, picking produce right before the market, and growing heirloom varieties. (Feb 2015, cuesa.org)” I choose to shop at farmers markets as much as possible for ethical and health reasons. I will share some of my reasons with you and invite you to see why shopping at farmers markets is beneficial to you and the planet as a whole.

When you shop at farmers markets, you can cut the middle man (large agribusinesses) and are able to directly support family farmers. Now that large agribusiness dominates food production in the U.S. small family farms have been shutting down left and right; those that are still open have a hard time surviving. Buying directly from farmers gives them a better return for their produce and, even more importantly, a fighting chance in this globalized economy.

I’m sure most of us yogis bring the peace and self- love we feel on our mats out to the world with us and exercise it. We care for the environment and for all animals and beings that occupy it. With pollution being one of the largest dangers in the world it is important that we all do our part to help rid the world of it. “Food in the U.S. travels an average of 1,500 miles to get to your plate. All this shipping uses large amounts of natural resources (especially fossil fuels), contributes to pollution, and creates trash with extra packaging. Conventional agriculture also uses many more resources than sustainable agriculture and pollutes water, land, and air with toxic agricultural by-products. Food at the farmers market is transported shorter distances and is generally grown using methods that minimize the impact on the earth. (Feb 2015, cuesa.org)”

Even animal products like meats, cheeses, and eggs from farmers markets can be bought with more peace in mind. Most of these animal products at farmers markets have been raised without hormones or antibiotics, have grazed on green grass and eaten their natural diets. They have also mercifully been unexposed to any animal cruelty, unlike animals that have been raised and butchered by the agribusiness meat production.

Another great reason for shopping at farmers markets is the opportunity to connect with your community. Here at NY Loves Yoga we are big fans of community, it brings together great energy and smiles. Strolling around farmers market on a sunny day beats strolling around a supermarket with artificial lights any day. It can be a great place to spend a lovely weekend morning and get a taste of small town life amidst our great big city.

Sources:

http://www.cuesa.org/learn/10-