Find a Local Farmers Market in FL
Just about everybody knows nowadays that Florida farmers markets are among the best places to find great local produce. They're also great places to make friends, taste test new, fresh ingredients before buying, and even watch cooking demonstrations and entertainment in many cases.
Florida farmers markets highlight the products from local farms and other agri-businesses, plus they occur right in your own home town, so you don't need to travel far to find them. They've been going on for years in some locations, but they've become popular in the last few years, so you should be able to find one not far from home!
The Benefits of Farmers Markets in Florida
The benefits of shopping at your local Florida farmers market are many. First off, you know the produce and other items are as fresh as they can be, because they come directly from the farm to the market. Many crops available for sale at these markets are naturally grown, so you know your family and friends won't be eating anything except farm-fresh goodness.
Also, Florida farmers markets are good for the environment. Farms contribute oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the air, which will help alleviate global warming, and usually, farmers don't have to drive too far to the market, so the environment gets another boost while using less fuel and contributing a lesser number of pollutants in the air.
Typically, rates are cheaper at farmers markets, too, because the farmer does not have to mark up his prices to earn money from a wholesaler, who marks up the prices again before they get to the supermarket. So, you will be actually paying less of your budget for a much better product, and who does not like that?
These markets benefit Florida farmers, as well, because they have a weekly (or daily) market to bring in customers, and they don't need to ship their products days or even weeks beforehand at low cost, therefore they make a better profit, too. It's always better to buy from local FL farms, since the money stays in the local economy, and that means more jobs and profits - all from buying fresh local produce!
Finding Your Local Florida Farmers Market
Farmers markets primarily run from late May or early June through September or October, according to where you live and your climate. Actually it all depends on the growing season in your area and when farmers can get their first products to market. Florida farmers markets are such a big deal now, that typically local newspapers will print a schedule of markets in your area as the season is about to begin.
Often, you'll find a schedule from your local Cooperative Extension or county agricultural board, too. They have become so popular, in fact, that some communities get to enjoy several farmers markets every week, so it pays to shop all of them and choose the ones that provide the produce and other products you like the best.
What to Look for at a Florida Farmers Market
You're sure to find local Florida farms promoting their products at affordable prices, but there are a few things to look out for. Make sure the produce is ripe and hasn't been sitting out in the sun too long, or has been damaged in transport. Nearly all booths will give you a free taste of whatever you're looking at, so you can check out new flavors and crops you may not have had a chance to experience before.
Some farmers will even supply you with recipes and other ideas on how to serve their products, too. At the really big markets, organizers may bring in free entertainment, arts and crafts booths, and other amusements to bring in the crowds, and they may even provide play areas for the kids, too.
Look for other items at your farmers market, too. Sometimes local meat, cheese, and dairy producers bring their wares, and big markets are more like a county fair, with food booths, information booths, and even games for the whole family. So, check out a local Florida farmer market or two, and come home with everything you need for a healthy, hearty dinner.