10 Reasons to Visit the Farmer's Market | Boone, NC

This is such an exciting time of the year for me because I've been waiting months for the growing season to begin again. I'll admit that my household's healthy eating habits have been in decline since winter began. There's really no excuse either. It's not like we can't go and buy veggies at the grocery store, but it's just not the same. The quality is far less superior than what we can obtain directly from the local farmers in our town. You'd be surprised by the noticeable difference.

Last week I talked about “Celebrating Spring” and how I plan on getting outside and taking photographs of some of my favorite subjects, flowers. Over the past week, I have been doing just that. However, I celebrated spring in a different way recently by heading to the opening weekend of the Watauga County Farmer's Market here in Boone, NC. Judging by the amount of other shoppers shuffling around the stalls, they really missed the weekly market, too! 

{10 Reasons to Visit the Farmer's Market}

1. Support the Local Economy – Investing your dollars back into the community by shopping at the Farmer's Market helps to keep small farms thriving while also supporting sustainable growing practices.
   
   
2. Get to Know your Farmer – Having the ability to cultivate a relationship with our local growers is an opportunity that I relish. I feel a deeper connection to the food that I am putting in my body as a result of the friendships we have forged. 
   
   
3. Freshest Food Available – One of the greatest benefits to shopping at the farmer's market is having the ability to obtain fruits and vegetables that were picked just the day before or, in some cases, that same morning! The same surely can't be said for something shipped from California.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. More Bang for your Buck – There are many misconceptions about how expensive produce from the Farmer's Market can be. In my experience, I have found that shopping at the local market is significantly cheaper than the grocery store. Buying directly from the farmer cuts out the middleman (putting money straight into their pockets) and it also eliminates additional expenses incurred from shipping items from miles away.
   
   
5. Organic Options a Plenty – Organic is not a gimmick for farmers who genuinely care about the environment and are aware of how harmful pesticides can be to it and our bodies. Many of the growers at our farmers market don't chemically treat their crops and they've been doing it that way before eco-friendly became a buzz word. Just be sure to clarify before assuming they organically grow their crops.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Connecting with the Community – One of my favorite things about going to the farmer's market is the chance to see some friendly faces. There are many times when trips to the market will include more socializing than shopping! The Watauga County Farmer's Market has such a lively atmosphere, it's a great way to spend a Saturday morning regardless of whether or not you need to shop :D
   
   
7. Better for the Environment – Shopping at the Farmer's Market will prevent you from purchasing items that have been shipped in from miles and miles away. It's more sustainable due to the fact that less resources are used, such as those required for packaging and fuel. Plain and simple, food that is grown in your community doesn't have to travel as far, which puts less stress on the environment.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. Try New Things – Seeing all of the bountiful baskets overflowing with fresh produce may be a great way to encourage you to eat more fruits and veggies. But it's also a good way to expand your culinary horizons, too. You're bound to find something you weren't familiar with that piques your interest. Don't be afraid to experiment with uncommon items!
   
   
9. Reduce Supermarket Shopping – Going to the Farmer's Market can significantly reduce how often you venture to the grocery store, which can help save you money and assist you in making healthier choices as well. Grocery stores are filled with processed foods that aren't good for you, so it's better to avoid them as much as possible. 
   
   
10. Much Much More – Along with fresh fruits and veggies, specialty items can be found at the Farmer's Market as well. You can find basket makers, flower growers, bakers, photographers, the best coffee in Boone, and a whole lot more!

There are so many great reasons to venture to your local Farmer's Market. It offers a unique shopping experience to say the least. I could probably keep going with this list if I thought about it long enough, but I'll stop here.

Do you go to the Farmer's Market? 

Please share your experience in the comments!

Want to know if there is a farmers market in your area? Go to localharvest.org and with a zip code entry, you will get a list of local farmers and other sustainably grown food vendors.

Related Links:

• Fresher Food For Less - Details about CSA's {Community Supported Agriculture}
• Celebrating Spring with Shutterfly {A Giveaway}
• Food, Fresh Air & Fun on the Farm - Open House @ Creeksong Farms

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Food, Fresh Air & Fun on the Farm

Recently, Cody and I, along with others, were extended an invitation to take a tour of the farm that we receive our weekly share of veggies from. Ever since we joined Creeksong Farm's CSA*, I have wanted to go for a visit and take pictures, but for whatever reason we were never able to work it out. Thankfully, they hosted an ‘open house’ for ALL of the members to enjoy. It ended up being a terrific opportunity to connect with where our food comes from, as well as with the other members!



It took place on a Sunday afternoon a few weekends ago and required a drive through the Ashe Country countryside—a place where I would love to settle down. Among the first to arrive, we were welcomed with warm smiles and friendly faces, along with a delicious spread of fingers foods and tasty beverages. The snacks were superb!! My favorite were the Dilly Beans....those things were delicious!!!



Soon after we settled in, other members began to arrive and joined in on the pow wow. Everyone quickly became better acquainted while waiting for the rest of the guests. Meanwhile, Jeff (The Chief), was preparing to lead the way to the first set of gardens where we saw zinnia’s, chard, broccoli, basil & a few other farm-fresh goodies that have made their way into my kitchen.



From there we got a nice look at the surrounding acres which consisted of rolling hills and plush pastures saturated with different shades of green. In total, they have 60 acres that they have been accumulating since 1979! What a spread, huh?!



With every ginger footstep I began to realize how much work has to be put into an operation such as this. Not that I didn’t know before, but seeing it from this angle offered a perspective I couldn’t have really appreciated otherwise. I am no farmer. In fact, I have a black thumb! But seeing what they accomplish with my own eyes makes me want to become better at it albeit on a smaller scale. I truly do appreciate all the hard work they have to do to ensure that we stay well fed. Clearly, it is not as easy as it may look--not that I ever thought it looked easy!



After seeing the first garden, the bunch made their way down the street in a parade-like fashion where we saw two more sizable plots. One was filled with golden squash, zucchini and corn while the other, requiring a bit of a climb, housed the infamous (green) onions, which we have grown to love :D.



Following the slope of the hillside put us in a great position to survey an overview of the homestead below where we spent a fair amount of time admiring the landscape before hiking back down through the hollow. For some, though, the fun was just beginning. The kiddies got to go on what seemed to be a thrilling tractor ride around the valley!



I, on the other hand, went back to the snack table to polish off, I mean sample, a teeny bit more yummy goodness before saying our last farewells. I can’t tell you how thrilled and relieved I was that the rain held off so that we could finally visit their little slice of heaven. I felt so at home out in the country. It was a fantastic way to spend the day!

*You may remember a guest post graciously crafted by Cody regarding the benefits of joining a CSA back in January. If you missed it or are not aware of what a CSA is, I strongly encourage you to revisit that post: Fresher Food for Less.