I love shopping at the farmers market. Not only do I save money on delicious organic produce but I also reduce my carbon footprint. You see the farmers market offers higher quality produce at a fair price. Furthermore, it offers entertainment, a great atmosphere to socialize and meet friends a healthy atmosphere for parents and kids alike.

There are 7 advantages to shopping at the farmers market.

1. The produce is the highest quality you can find. Why? Because the farmers pick the produce when it is ripe the night before or the morning of the farmers market when the sugar content is at it’s peak. This means that the produce is sweet, filled with juices the flavors just burst forth in your mouth.

Whereas the produce in the grocery stores is picked before it is ripe and stored in a warehouse for 30, 60, 90 even up to 180 days. Yuck. That is why when you buy produce at the grocery store it is dry, mealy and flavorless.

Top chef’s buy their produce at the farmers market because they know that it is top quality. One of the secrets to their fabulous tasting food is chef’s only use the finest ingredients.

2. By shopping the farmers market you reduce your carbon footprint because the farmers are local. That means that the produce isn’t trucked in from another state or flown in from another country spewing carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

3. By shopping the farmers market you are supporting your local economy because you are shopping with local businesses. That is economically good for everyone.

4. The farmers market offers more organic, healthy choices than the super market. Furthermore, the farmers will offer produce that you won’t normally find at the local supermarket like red carrots, purple cauliflower or purple potatoes.

5. Try before you buy. The farmers are great marketers. They offer free samples of their produce, so you get to try before you buy. Genius! They know their product is delicious and one taste will convince you.

6. The farmers market is the least expensive way to buy fresh, organic produce. The farmers offer their produce at fair prices usually far less the super market can.

7. If you aren’t sure how to prepare a fruit or vegetable ask the farmers. They prepare the produce they grow for their families and they have simple ideas and recipes they can share with you.

Click Here to Find a Farmers Market Near You. Good luck and have fun.

The Green Queen is an expert in greening homes, businesses and productions. She has been living green and organic for over 8 years and greening homes, businesses and productions for 2 years.

She offers in home green consultations, teleclasses, E-classes, teleseminars and coaching. You can contact her at The Green Queen Corner or www.askthegreenqueen.com.