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.