Monthly Archives: August 2016

5 Charts to Show the Important of Farmers Markets in the Economy

Buying local at your farmers market with your EBT SNAP may not seem to have a large impact, but your purchases help the environment, local farmers, and the economy. Check out these 5 charts to learn how:

1. Farmers Markets stimulate local economies, preserve rural livelihoods, increase access to fresh food, and support healthy communities.


2. EBT SNAP benefits help employ farmers.


3. Buying local saves the environment and money.

Buy Local
Source: eLocal.com

4. It creates a positive food chain reaction for our communities.

Check out what is being picked this week*:
Collards, Beets, Cabbage, Broccoli, Beans, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Herbs, Peppers, Lima Beans, Eggplant, Potatoes, Squash, Sweet Corn, Blueberries, Pears, Raspberries & Okra

*Availability will vary by market due to differences in growing zones.

One Potato, Two Potatoes, Bad Potato, Good?

Did you know that potatoes are actually good for you? Sadly, most people assume they aren’t good for them and with good reason. The truth is America’s obsession with junk food is to blame for potatoes getting a bad rap. According to the USDA/NASS, approximately 65% of the potatoes consumed in the United States per year are in French Fry or Potato Chip form. Obviously, when you fry or process a potato and add fatty oils and high levels of sodium to them it’s going to do more harm than good.

Nutrition experts are trying to dispel the unhealthy potato myth by educating the public about the nutritional benefits of the potato. One medium baked potato gives us almost 30% or our daily-recommended value of both vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Potatoes are also high in both fiber and potassium which most of us do not get enough of on a daily basis. A baked potato is an excellent addition to a well-balanced meal if you go easy on the sodium and fatty toppings.

By now most of us are aware that we don’t have to sacrifice taste when it comes to eating healthy. Some alternative healthy toppings that go great on a baked potato are scallions, Greek yogurt, curry, tomato-pesto, salsa, low-fat sour cream, and chives. Can’t imagine your spud without butter and salt? Just remember less is more.

Don’t discard the skins. Eat them! Potato skins are packed with potassium, iron, and niacin. What does that mean for you? Potassium fuels your metabolism and assists in your muscle movement. Iron supports healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. And Niacin or vitamin B3 is important for healthy new cell development and assists in recovering from stress.

Recently, the Institute of Medicine put white potatoes back on the eligibility list for the WIC program. They discovered that women and children weren’t meeting the recommended daily intake of starchy vegetables and potatoes are a simple and beneficial solution.

For all of you spud fans it’s time to bring the potato back into your diet. Remember, the potato on its own is healthy, just be aware of how it’s been prepared and what’s on top of it.


Check out what’s being picked this week*:
Raspberries, Okra, Beets, Cabbage, Broccoli, Beans, Zucchini, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Herbs, Peppers, Lima Beans, Eggplant, Potatoes, Squash, Sweet Corn, Blueberries, Pears

*Availability will vary by market due to differences in growing zones.

Recipe of the Week: Here’s a great way to load up your baked potato without the added fat and calories: Try this recipe!

Photo CreditNick Saltmarsh Via Flickr Creative Commons

What the Farmers Market Means to Me: A Farmer’s Point of View

I am up before the local morning news begins. I don’t commute in morning traffic. I don’t punch a time card. I don’t have a boss checking his watch when I arrive at work. I don’t show up at an office wearing expensive suits. I don’t have an IT department to call when something goes wrong in fact most of my co-workers walk on four legs.

I am a farmer. My family depends on me and you depend on me. No time for sick days or sleeping in. I don’t do my job for the pay or notoriety I do it to fulfill my passion for the land, growing, and agriculture. Without that passion I could not do it. My job is hard but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

One of my favorite days of the week is the day I show up at your local Farmers Market. I can’t wait to show you the beautiful beets, berries or broccoli I just harvested. I look forward to our conversations about what’s in season and the best way to prepare or preserve your produce.

In an era where fast food is prevalent I am proud to make you aware of nutritious and delicious options.

I chuckle when I hear the phrase farm to table. I’ve been doing that for years! I’m excited that our country is seeing the value in farm fresh food and that eating organic is trendy. I want you to be healthy. I want you to reap the benefits of my labor. I love the opportunity to present it to you personally.

I’m thankful that SNAP Benefits are accepted at local Farmers Markets. I believe everyone should have access to farm fresh food. I love witnessing all families enjoying the opportunity to spend a beautiful day at the market, watching children pick out the vegetables they will eat for dinner that night, and knowing that I have helped that family to eat good tasting and healthy local food.

If I’ve never met you at the Farmers Market I invite you to come see me soon. Between my fellow vendors and myself there is something for everyone. I can almost guarantee it will change your perception of grocery shopping and what it means to buy local. I look forward to meeting you and I thank you in advance for supporting me, your local farmer.

What’s being picked this week: Pears, Beets, Cabbage, Kale, Lettuce, Swiss Chard, Broccoli, Beans, Zucchini, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Herbs, Peppers, Lima Beans, Eggplant, Potatoes, Squash, Sweet Corn, Blueberries

Recipes: Looking for a healthy snack? Try these salsas!

Photo CreditUnited Soybean Board Via Flickr Creative Commons

4 Reasons to Support Your Local Farmers Market

The NY Farmers Market EBT SNAP program has made it possible to bring home local nutritious food using your EBT SNAP benefits. Although it may be easier to use your EBT SNAP benefits card at your local supermarket, consider using your benefits at the farmers market. Here are four reasons why you should support your local farmers market.

1. The Best of the Best
At the farmers market, you will be able to select from the freshest and tastiest produce. Because the fruits and vegetables are local, they are able to fully ripen in the field unlike produce sold in the supermarket which may be picked before ripening and sit in storage. The farmers market offers a variety of produce which no supermarket can compare. Vegetables like red carrots and purple cauliflower are unique to farmers markets and will not be found at Wal-Mart.

2. Protect the Environment
When you purchase produce from the farmers market, you are helping the environment. Many do not realize there is a large environmental toll when you buy supermarket produce. According to the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture, food travels an average of 1,500 miles to reach your kitchen table. Shipping food burns large amounts of fossil fuels that contribute to pollution. Whereas local produce travels much shorter distances. Buying local also gives you the benefit of knowing where your food came from.

3. Farmers Know Best
It is unusual for supermarket employees to stand around the produce section offering cooking tips. At the farmers market, this is the norm. Farmers are passionate about food and because they grew it, are experts on how to cook it. Many offer advice about their produce accompanied by recipes. Not only will you leave the farmers market with fresh quality produce, but you may also leave some great meal ideas and cooking tips.

4. Support and Connect with Your Community
The farmers market is more than a place to buy local, it is a community experience. Families come to enjoy the market, learn about fresh food, and connect with their community. Buying from the farmers market supports other families like yours. Family farmers are struggling to keep up with agribusiness and need community support. At the farmers market, farmers can get a better return on their produce then from selling to distributors.

Talk to your friends and family! Share with them why it is important to shop and support our local farmers markets.

Check out what is being picked this week*:
Squash, Sweet Corn, Blueberries, Beets, Cabbage, Kale, Lettuce, Swiss Chard, Broccoli, Beans, Zucchini, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Herbs, Blackberries, Peppers, Eggplant & Potatoes

*Availability will vary by market due to differences in growing zones.