Farmer’s markets play an integral part in the urban/farm linkage.  Farmer’s markets have gained much popularity throughout the years, the main culprit to this popularity is consumers wanting to get fresh produce straight from the source.  According to the USDA, today there are more than 4,600 farmer’s markets operating throughout the nation.

5 Good Reasons to Shop a Farmer’s Market

1. Normally farmer’s market produce prices are extremely competitive, providing you with great value without having to spend a lot of money.

2. Foods are seasonal.  You will be provided with great quality produce that’s at its peak of freshness.

3. As mentioned above, some communities make it more of a social outing so you can have some quality family time while purchasing nutritious, healthy foods.

4. Serves as an educational opportunity for you and your kids.  You will be shown different produce that you maybe haven’t seen and you can always ask the farmer which ways you can prepare the produce.  Take you kids along and start showing them at an early age different foods and the benefits of healthy shopping and eating.

5. Everyone benefits — the farms, the farmers, the consumers — it’s an all-around great opportunity for everyone.

The only con to a farmer’s market is that you might have to drive to the location.

Find a market near you at the Agricultural Marketing Services (part of USDA) website.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

5 Good Reasons to Shop a Farmer’s Market

With names like the Tracing and Recalling Agricultural Contamination Everywhere Act, the Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act, the Food Safety and Tracking Improvement Act, and the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 it’s no wonder there is confusion about what is and is not being regulated, to what extent, and by who. After reading through HR 875, the proposed bill most likely to come to a vote, I can testify that there is not much more clarity to be found in the actual legislation than there is in all the alarmist blogs and email forwarding.

I sought out the help of my cousin who is an Indiana local, organic farmer and reads a lot! He had a lot to teach me and I have a lot to learn. The bills do not specifically regulate or outlaw personal gardens, local farming, farmer’s markets, or CSAs; HR 875 seems to primarily address food products that cross state lines. The other major part of HR 875 is the creation of the Food Safety Agency in addition to the FDA. The FSA would have regulation jurisdiction over food production on farms, including written food-safety plans and increased inspections. HR 759 and HR 814 may be more troubling to the owners of small farms and businesses; however, the wording of the bills is so broad and vague that the room for interpretation is great. It is not surprising that there has been such a buzz of conspiracy.

Monsanto seed company has been accused of promoting these bills, causing much outrage. Although Monsanto is not specifically protected with this legislation, such vague laws have protected their interests in the past. Globally such laws have resulted in deep debt and even mass suicides of small farmers.

Increased regulations can mean an increase in safety; however, if not well considered it will also mean an increase in operation costs and increased time spent in activities not directly related to food production. Making businesses jump through certain hoops can make it impossible for small businesses to succeed. The danger is that only large farms will be self-sustaining. Let me clarify that I am not against safety or regulation. However, other industries have demonstrated that when regulations and methods of regulation are not clearly defined, it can become extremely limiting, especially for smaller businesses.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Digging out the Truth on Farming Legislation