Top 5 reasons to shop at local farmers markets

Culture | July 29th, 2015

Heart and Soil carrots

There’s a farmers market in every corner of our community. The carrots and corn are calling. And so are the tomatoes, breads, crafts, jams and more. But rather than focus on “the what” – today, we’re focusing on “the why”:

1. Buy directly from the farmer; support the local economy.

“You are supporting a local farmer who’s hiring local people to work on that farm. So you’re helping the community financially,” said Bill Erbes, president of the Great Plains Produce Association and spokesperson for the Northern Plains Farmers Market located at West Acres.

Usually the vendors that customers interact with at farmers markets are the people who grow the produce themselves. So any questions people may have about where the food comes from or how it’s grown can be answered right on the spot. Farmers may also have recipes or fun stories to share with shoppers.

2. The produce is fresher, more nutritious – and more delicious.

“To buy something that is locally grown and fresh and not processed is just a healthy way of going as far as your lifestyle,” said Kim Wangler, West Fargo Park District’s recreation specialist who’s in charge of Farmers Market & Beyond.

Northern Plains Farmers Markets

Because farmers markets offer minimally processed, non-packaged and in-season produce, not only are the foods as fresh as they come – they will taste their absolute best and contain the greatest amount of nutrition and antioxidants.

Pam Beyer, who helps run the Moorhead Farmers Market located in the parking lot of the Moorhead Center Mall, said it’s not just something people can taste, it’s something we can see.

“(Customers) just go, ‘oh my goodness… the onions for some reason – they are just bigger here. I don’t know where they get onions from in the store but – that’s a big onion!” she said.

3. The earth benefits.

While much of the produce we buy at grocery stores is shipped in from other states as far as California or other countries as far as Mexico, farmers markets offer produce that is grown within a 100 to 200 mile radius. So not only are customers getting the freshest, most nutritious foods, they are buying environmentally friendly products.

Organic and non-organic foods can be found at farmers markets in Fargo-Moorhead. Some vendors use unconventional means to ward off “pests.”

Plain State Flower Farm

“We use lady bugs for our pest control. So we just released 70,000 lady bugs maybe a week and a half ago,” said Amanda Schlenker, owner of the Ladybug Acres/Veggie Bus. “They are carnivorous little devils so if you are an aphid or a bad bug you better watch out.”

Schlenker, who’s been running the veggie barn for about seven years, says sustainable farming practices motivates her work. So the Veggie Barn and Veggie Bus are open daily to make sure customers get the absolute freshest produce possible.

“We don’t have any type of refrigeration,” she said. “We just harvest every morning and bring it in.”

4. Vegetables are just the beginning.

While fresh veggies are the focal point of most farmers markets, nearly all the locations in Fargo-Moorhead offer more than produce.

Red River Market, which is new this year, offers hot food such as crepes, spinach pies, Ethiopian cuisine and more.

“We really wanted a place for the community to gather and spend time … a place to come wake up on a Saturday morning, get a cup of coffee, get some hot food, get fresh-cut flowers and all the produce and spend time with people,” said Joe Burgum, co-organizer of the Red River Market, which is located on the corner of SecondAvenue and Broadway in downtown Fargo.

Tynes Tiny Bubble Soap

At Northern Plains, there’s Breadsmith Bread. In West Fargo, there are roasted almonds and, every now and then, massages. In Moorhead, there are snickerdoodles, banana bread and non-caged eggs. Just about every location offers handmade crafts.

Products will also vary from week to week, depending on which vendors are available that day and depending on what type of produce is ready for harvest that week.

5. It’s a good way to meet people.

Thousands of folks shop at local farmers markets throughout the summer and early fall. Customer-vendor, vendor-vendor and customer-customer interaction is inevitable.

One reason Burgum said he wanted “hot food” vendors was to connect them with growers, vice versa.

“People are spending time in Fargo in the summers, people want local food, people want to be able to come out, hang out with their friends,” Burgum said.

Joe Burgum in a carrot suit / Photo by Paolo Pardo

“It’s funny – you can come to the farmers market and spend an hour and run into 10 of your friends serendipitously, which is really one of the reasons I love it. It’s sort of becoming the weekly social event.”

For Beyer of the Moorhead Farmers Market, she’s found great joy in getting to know the growers, producers and makers.

“We’ve got a nice family here,” she said. “I’ve gotten to know these people and they are just wonderful people, and it’s fun to see them every week.”

Schlenker of Ladybug Acres said her appreciation for her customers and the community is what fuels her.

“If it wasn’t for the regular customers I would’ve closed the barn doors long ago,” she said. “I owe all the success that I have to the regulars, the folks that I’ve watched their families grow throughout the years.”