Farmers’ Markets – Year Round!

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Madison is well-known for its local farmer’s market, taking up the entirety of the square surrounding the Capital. But what makes Madison’s farmer’s market so great is the ability to stimulate local economy and shop sustainability? Shopping sustainable has become a popular shopping trend, but labels for sustainable foods are hard to regulate. Shopping at the farmer’s market is a great way to know that you are actually buying straight from the source.

When you shop at a farmers’ market, you actually can stimulate the area economy. When food is being produced, processed, distributed, and sold within the same region allows money to stay in the county’s economy. It also allows a platform for small farmers and business owners to sell their product. SNAP-Ed programs have also been promoting the use of SNAP dollars at farmers’ markets to support local agriculture. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a governmental program that provides food-purchasing assistance for low and no-income individuals. There has recently been a change to add purchasing abilities at the farmers’ market through SNAP, so that individuals and families using SNAP can purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at their local farmers’ market. This allows vendors to sell to a larger range of customers and allows access to fresh produce (and good nutrition) for more people. Farmers’ markets also a great way to shop sustainable.  Buying in season foods from local sources helps to limits some of the transit energy used to move goods across the nation and even the world. Another way to be kinder to the plant is bringing reusable bags to hold fresh produce and foods and eliminate having to use plastic bags.

Fresh produce is also a great way to get the recommended 2-3 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruits for a reasonable price.  The farmers’ market allows you to buy directly from the farmer which reduces some of the cost needed for transport, processing, and purchasing costs at a grocery store, which may make the prices at the farmers’ market reasonable or even better. The items most likely to cost significantly less than at the grocery store are tomatoes, apples, radishes, carrots, cabbage, and mushrooms. You can also find organic products at farmer’s markets, often cheaper than the grocery store price sticker.

Overall, there are many benefits from shopping local, including a fun and affordable way to enjoy your weekend! The Dane County Farmers’ Market is offered outdoors from Mid-April to early November and then moves indoors to two markets during the winter. This means you can shop there all year long!