Earth911 is honoring the 52 years of Earth Day with 52 Actions for the Earth. Every week by Earth Day 2023, we’ll share an motion you may take to put money into the Earth and make your personal life extra sustainable. Markets that promote contemporary regionally grown and produced meals make it simple to buy your values throughout each environmental and social concerns. This week, you may take motion for the Earth by visiting a farmers market.
Motion: Go to a Farmers Market
Greener Produce
Industrial agriculture works at too giant a scale to hassle with native markets. Not every thing at your native farmers market will probably be natural and GMO-free. However farms that promote at native markets are more likely to be concerned in sustainable or regenerative agriculture. You will discover foraged wild meals like mushrooms, produce grown underneath permaculture or biodynamic strategies, and humanely raised meats extra simply at farmers markets than at supermarkets.
Even when farmers use typical strategies, purchasing at a farmers market ensures freshness. Shopping for meals at its freshest helps get rid of meals waste and could also be extra nutritious. Buying on the farmers market contributes to a plastic-free residing since only some ready meals at such markets are prepackaged and also you convey your personal containers for produce.
Rising Neighborhood
Farmers markets are the epitome of purchasing native. Buying regionally reduces the environmental impacts of transporting meals. It additionally helps native farms and artisans like bakers and different small meals companies, conserving cash in your group. Almost 32 jobs are created for each $1 million in income generated by produce farms concerned in direct advertising and marketing, equivalent to farmers markets, in comparison with solely 10.5 jobs for wholesale farms. Supporting native growers additionally improves meals safety by growing the number of crops grown and lowering reliance on long-distance transport networks. Buying on the farmers market provides you the chance to be taught concerning the origin of your meals, construct relationships throughout the group, and even eat a extra diverse and healthful food plan in tune with the seasons.
Go to the Farmers Market
You need to use the USDA’s Native Meals Listing to discover a farmers market close to you. Many markets run year-round, whereas others solely function in the summertime. Bigger markets could also be open day-after-day, however most will solely open on one or two days every week. This week, if a market close to you is open, seize your reusable purchasing bag and go to the market. Discover out what’s accessible and the way the costs and high quality evaluate to the grocery store. Even when you’re underwhelmed, decide to visiting once more in just a few weeks. Accessible produce modifications with the seasons, and there will probably be extra selection every week because the climate heats up.
If not one of the markets close to you’re open but, make a remark of the opening date in your calendar, and decide to purchasing there when the reminder pops up. The market won’t be capable to fully change the grocery store. However each time you store there, you’re investing within the Earth.