What's Fresh...
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VALUE: Meet your budget at the market.
“Farmers’ markets are too expensive.” That’s a myth – and it’s time to bust it. Farmers’ market fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese and more often costs the same, even a little less, than what you’ll find at a chain grocer. Even if you end up paying a small amount more, the value is there! Food is more nutritious, flavorful, and fresh.
It’s not just us saying that: 3 out of 4 Sullivan Catskills Farmers Market shoppers agree or strongly agree: “I get a good value for my money.”
Plus, if you receive SNAP/EBT benefits, you can use those benefits at the market. You can also take advantage of FreshConnect and Double Up Bucks to stretch your dollars further.
For example, spend $10 in SNAP/EBT benefits, get a $10 match from FreshConnect. Learn more about these programs, here.
SOURCE: 398 Sullivan Catskills Farmers’ Markets shoppers surveyed in 2016.
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COMMUNITY: Meet your farmer at the market.
On average, a farmer only gets about 17 cents on the dollar when their food is sold at a chain grocery store. At the farmers’ market? It’s nearly 90 cents on the dollar! Farmers appreciate you choosing to buy directly from them so they’re happy to share tips and tricks for getting the most out of your purchase. In fact, 9 out of 10 shoppers agree that they enjoy meeting their farmer!
One shopper at the Callicoon Farmers’ Market noted:
“Shopping at the market has changed the way our family, and every other family we know, eats and thinks about food.”
SOURCE: 398 Sullivan Catskills Farmers Markets shoppers surveyed in 2016.
SOURCE: https://nfu.org/farmers-share
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FLAVOR: Meet your cravings at the market.
The crowd has spoken: 97% of Catskills market shoppers agree that farmers’ market food is fresher and tastes better! Take the ultimate taste test. Try a locally grown tomato versus one from a mass commercial farm out of state. You’ll be shocked (in a good way) – and you might just start craving those local tomatoes. Local produce doesn’t just pack more flavor, it’s more nutritious When produce sits in a warehouse for days or weeks, it can lose nutritional value.
SOURCE: 398 Sullivan Catskills Farmers’ Markets shoppers surveyed in 2016.
SOURCE: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/7_benefits_of_eating_local_foods
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FRESHNESS & QUALITY: Meet your standards at the market.
Why settle for soggy brown lettuce in a bag or overripe melons? You have standards and the market will help you meet those standards when it comes to freshness and quality.
When you buy fruits and vegetables at the farmers’ market, you’re enjoying produce that was harvested within days – maybe hours – and traveled under 50 miles (often less!) to arrive at the farmers market.
Compare that to the national average that produce travels: 1,494 miles. Buying local means better tasting food and reduces the amount of carbon emissions going into our atmosphere.
For Joan, a regular shopper at the Rock Hill Farmers’ Market, freshness is important:
“I like knowing my food didn’t go on a truck and travel 1,000 miles and sit in the back of a store before getting to me.”
As for quality, market food is held to the same – if not higher – standards than food at a chain grocer. For example, Did you know that local meat is subject to the same USDA inspections as meat you find at the grocery store? You can eat local with confidence knowing your food was grown and produced by your neighbors who want your family to enjoy the highest quality food.
SOURCE: http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/leopold_pubspapers/130
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FUN: Meet your vibe at the market.
You can’t enjoy live music, kid’s story time, or talk to farmers at the grocery store. But you can at the farmers’ market.
Farmers markets are fun – and take the boredom out of shopping for food. There’s a definite “vibe” to the market scene, and it’s waiting for you to discover.
Markets are more than places to buy food. It’s a chance to enjoy a vibrant social scene, connect with neighbors (including farmers), and discover what’s going on in the local area.
SOURCE: 398 Sullivan Catskills Farmers’ Markets shoppers surveyed in 2016.
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HEALTHY: Meet your wellness goals at the market.
It’s easier to eat more fruits and vegetables when they taste better: 94% agree that farmers markets help them eat healthier! That may be one reason why almost every Catskills Farmers’ Market shopper believes markets positively impact their health. Farmers’ markets also provide free recipe ideas and demos, making it simple to cook up healthy meals. Monticello resident Greg shared the struggle many face:
“It’s hard to eat healthy! I work nights and typically get food from the drive thru on the way home because I’m pretty tired.”
Last June, Greg stopped by the Monticello Farmers’ Market for the first time.
“I think it’s awesome. I’m excited to bring home these carrots to my daughter — carrots are her favorite. I will be back.”
SOURCE: 398 Sullivan Catskills Farmers’ Markets shoppers surveyed in 2016.