Saturday Is Farmer's Market Day!

Going to the Farmer's Market has always been one of my favorite activities. I love meandering through the Market on a warm sunny summer day and the smells of fresh veggies, flowers, and kettle corn. Often there are musicians playing and sellers of fresh coffee & pastries.

The pleasant sights, smells, and sounds is only one of the reasons to buy your perishables at your local farmers market. After deciding to live sustainably I learned that another wonderful reason is that the fruits and veggies offered at your local farmers markets are most often organic and locally grown.

Organic fruits and veggies are wonderful for your body. Did you know in a 2004 study done be UCD showed that organically grown fruits and veggies can contain up to 65% more phenolic compounds (it varies from veggie to veggie). These phenolic compounds are those powerful cancer fighting anti-oxidants you have heard about. The nutrient rich soil and lack of pesticides from organic farming forge healthier, vitamin packed, and better tasting veggies than conventional farming. Not to mention the animal life that is preserved in the organic farming methods. No bunnies are harmed by harvesting machines and butterflies killed by pesticides =)
If you would like to find out more about the benefits of organics visit Organic.org.

Here is a refreshing article on organic food as well.

Near me the farmers market is open year round, one of the benefits of living in California. However, in many areas of the country farmers markets only run April through October so take advantage of them now, while the summer is in full swing =)

My farmers market bounty from this morning =)