Find a Local Farmers Market in NV
Just about everyone understands these days that Nevada farmers markets are among the best places to find great local produce. Fortunately they are also great places to interact socially, taste test new, fresh ingredients before you buy, and even watch cooking demonstrations and entertainment in many cases.
Nevada farmers markets highlight the products from local farms and other agri-businesses, and they happen right in your home town, so you aren't required to journey far to locate them. They have been going on for years in some locations, but they've gotten more popular in the last few years, so you should be able to find one not far from home!
The Benefits of Farmers Markets in Nevada
The advantages of shopping at your local Nevada farmers market are many. First, you are assured the produce and other items are as fresh as they can be, since they come directly from the farm to the market. Most crops available for sale at these markets are organically grown, so you know your friends and family will not be eating anything except farm-fresh goodness.
Also, Nevada 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 from using less fuel and contributing fewer pollutants into the air.
Generally, rates are cheaper at farmers markets, too, because the farmer does not have to mark up his prices to generate income from a wholesaler, who marks up the prices again prior to them getting to the supermarket. So, you are actually paying less money for a far better product, and who doesn't like that?
These markets profit Nevada farmers, as well, because they have a weekly (or daily) market to appeal to customers, and they don't have to ship their products days or weeks beforehand at wholesale prices, so they make a better profit, too. It's always safer to buy from local NV farms, considering that the money stays in the local economy, and that means more jobs and profitability - all from buying fresh local produce!
Finding Your Local Nevada Farmers Market
Farmers markets generally run from late May or early June through September or October, based on where you live and your climate. Really it all depends upon the growing season in your area and when farmers can get their first products to market. Nevada 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 will find a schedule from your local Cooperative Extension or county agricultural board, too. They have become quite popular, in fact, that some communities enjoy a number of 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 Nevada Farmers Market
You will be sure to find local Nevada 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. Most booths will give you a free taste of whatever you are looking at, so you can check out new flavors and crops you might not have had a chance to experience before.
Some farmers may also provide 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 draw 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 Nevada farmer market or two, and come home with everything you need for a healthy, hearty dinner.