Find a Local Farmers Market in PA
Just about everyone understands nowadays that Pennsylvania farmers markets are one of the better 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 on many occasions.
Pennsylvania farmers markets highlight the products from local farms and other agri-businesses, and they also occur right in your home town, so you don't need to travel far to locate them. They've been going on for years in some locations, but they have become 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 Pennsylvania
The advantages of shopping at your local Pennsylvania farmers market are many. First off, you know the produce and other items are as fresh as they can be, because they come straight from the farm to the market. The majority of crops available for sale at these markets are naturally grown, so you know your family and friends will not be eating anything except farm-fresh goodness.
Also, Pennsylvania farmers markets are great for the environment. Farms contribute oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the air, which can help minimize global warming, and usually, farmers don't have to drive too far to the market, so the environment gets another boost by using less fuel and contributing fewer emissions into the air.
Generally, rates are cheaper at farmers markets, too, because the farmer does not have to mark up his prices to make money from a wholesaler, who marks up the prices again prior to them getting to the supermarket. So, you are actually paying less cash for a far better product, and who does not like that?
These markets profit Pennsylvania farmers, as well, since they have a weekly (or daily) market to appeal to customers, and in addition they don't have to ship their products days or weeks in advance at low cost, therefore they make a better profit, too. It's always safer to buy from local PA farms, since the money stays in the local economy, and that means more jobs and earnings - all from buying fresh local produce!
Finding Your Local Pennsylvania Farmers Market
Farmers markets primarily run from late May or early June through September or October, depending on where you live and your climate. Really it all depends on the growing season in your area and when farmers can get their first products to market. Pennsylvania 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've become so popular, in fact, that some communities get to 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 Pennsylvania Farmers Market
You are sure to find local Pennsylvania farms promoting their products at good 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 offer 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 even offer you 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 Pennsylvania farmer market or two, and come home with everything else you need for a healthy, hearty dinner.