There is a lull. Somewhere between the storage crops and greens of winter, and the fresh mild arugula and straight green spears of asparagus in the spring, I start to feel like a potato. We have weathered the worst of it, and the produce is coming back with momentum from the valley and warm spring starts in the higher foothills. That also means that those of us who frequent seasonal farmers markets will have them back!
Farmers markets are many things; a social connection, an opportunity to purchase the freshest food available, the chance to access a myriad of local goods in one place, and the rare instance where your dollar goes directly to the people growing your food or making crafts. They also are not as expensive as you may think! Price data the Eat Local team collected last year (January 2014 through July 2014 shows that organic produce is priced similarly at farmers' markets and grocery stores. For 5 of the 10 items measured, farmers' market prices were actually cheaper or equal to that those of grocery stores! For a closer look at these price comparisons, read our archived blog post “Are Farmers' Market Prices Really More Expensive?” (//ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=15299)
If everyone in Placer/Nevada county went to the farmers market a few times through the year and spent $10, can you imagine the impact?? We could boost our local economy enough to enable our friends and neighbors to make a living wage working in as famers in our community. And that money would stay local! So go, post your experience to Facebook or other social media, bring a friend or meet one there, buy from the markets for pot lucks or BBQs, and don't be shy to brag where you got that amazing watermelon.
Farmland and green, open space is a beautiful and valuable part of living here in the foothills. Help preserve the beauty and bounty of our counties by buying local…. at the Farmers' Market!
Markets open now:
Auburn, Old Town Courthouse Parking Lot, Open Year-round, Saturdays, 8 AM to 12 noon. Auburn-Folsom Road at Lincoln Way. Foothill Farmers' Market Association.
Grass Valley, North Star House, Saturdays, 8 AM to 12:30 PM. 12075 Auburn Road. Nevada County Certified Growers' Market.
Roseville, Whole Foods Market at the Fountains, Open Year-round, Tuesdays, 8:30am – 1pm. Galleria Blvd. & East Roseville Parkway. Foothill Farmers' Market Association.
For more information on seasonal markets opening soon, check out these webpages:
http://www.foothillfarmersmarket.com/