Healthy Eating

Farmers Markets

By Craig Burton – Founder ‘3d Personal Training Systems’ – www.3dpts.com

My number one nutritional tip to clients is to fall in love with food again.

By taking an interest in what goes into your mouth, a chain-reaction towards health begins.

Generally, giving supermarkets a wide berth as often as possible will bring you closer to top quality food. If you have ever had a veggie garden you will know exactly what I mean; home-grown food always tastes better than the supermarket equivalent because it’s never just thoughtlessly consumed.

However, most people have neither the time nor the space to grow their own produce, which is why farmers’ markets are unbeatable.

Here is a list of the benefits, taken from the National Association of Farmers’ Markets at www.farmersmarkets.net.

Benefits for Producers

Farmers’ Markets cut out the middleman allowing increased financial returns through direct selling, price control, and a regular cash flow.
Transport and packaging requirements are less thus reducing the producers' costs.
They provide a secure and regular market outlet. This is especially valuable for; new producers, producers in organic conversion, and small scale producers who are unable to produce the quantity required by supermarkets.
With the increase in market numbers it is possible for individual producers to attend a substantial number of different markets. A number of farmers have indicated that this form of marketing has prevented their businesses from bankruptcy.

Benefits for Consumers

Farmers’ Markets provide direct contact and feedback between customers and producers, so you can be sure how your vegetables are grown and meat produced.

They help to improve diet and nutrition by providing access to fresh food.
They can be a source of information and inspiration on how to cook and prepare fresh ingredients.

Benefits for the Environment

Farmers’ Markets help reduce food miles, thus vehicle pollution, noise, and fossil fuel use.

They help to reduce packaging.
They encourage more environmental production practices, such as organic or pesticide free.
They encourage farm diversification and hence bio-diversity.

The Community & Local Economy

Farmers’ Markets help bring life into towns and cities aiding regeneration.
They encourage social interaction particularly between rural and urban communities.
They stimulate local economic development by increasing employment, encouraging consumers to support local business, and thus keeping the money within the local community.
They attract business to retailers in the vicinity.

Too often we ignore the benefits of good food for creating health - instead we purchase the cheaper, intensively-produced versions and buy supplements by the bag-load to make up for all the deficiencies of the commercially farmed produce.

Don’t you agree that is just crazy?

Farmers’ Markets are established all over the world - check the internet for your local market. Alternatively many people who don’t have a market nearby have formed a group, then approached a local farm and now have the fresh produce sent out to them.

Remember: you are what you eat!

Yours in health and fitness

Craig Burton