Since farmers' markets season is starting, the media is catching on. Farmers' markets have been popping up in local newspapers, statewide publications, and even in national new stories!
Here are a few articles on farmers' markets that caught my interest. Hope you enjoy them too!
Farmers market to allow food stamps, debit cards Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia, MO, USA Low-income families "appreciate quality food and local food just as much as everyone else, and this is just making it more accessible," said Lane McConnell, ...See all stories on this topic
Many Missouri communities have weekend farmers' markets digitalBURG.com - Warrensburg, MO, USA Long before consumers had the option of buying foods and products at local supermarkets, farmers’ markets of all sizes and locales were providing healthy, ...See all stories on this topic
Farmers markets St. Louis Post-Dispatch - MO, United States Most local farmers markets are held on Saturdays, although some, such as Soulard, Kirkwood and the U. City Market in the Loop, are open more than one day a ...See all stories on this topic
Farmers market taking debit cards KOMU-TV - Columbia, MO, USA ... gonna help those citizens eat healthy and eat local, but also at the same time help grow our farmers markets," marketing specialist Lane McConnell said. ...See all stories on this topic
Food Tripping: There's no better time than now to get to know what ... Riverfront Times - St-Louis, MO, USA The best place to start is at one of the local farmers' markets. There, not only can you find produce so fresh that some of it might have been picked that ...See all stories on this topic
Friday, May 23, 2008
Missouri Farmers' Market in the News
Farmers' Markets Are Everywhere!
This time of year is the perfect time for enjoying some nice fresh fruits and vegetables, planting those brightly colored flowers in your yard, and sitting on the porch with family while enjoying some homemade bread. These are all different things you can find at the farmers' market in Camdenton--everything from bedding plants to local produce to baked goods. This story, from the Lake Sun Leader, shared everything that the Camdenton Farmers' Market has to offer.
While everyone knows the lake area has plenty to offer, those who spend all their time on the water and don't take time to check out what else is going on will miss out on a spring, summer and fall harvests of the ripest local produce, fruits and vegetables, bedding plants, and on a good day, baked goods still warm from the oven.
If fresh brown eggs are a favorite, check out Nolt's Country Market on Business Highway 54/52 in Eldon. The market is open year-round from from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. The market carries a large selection of bulk items, such as flour, sugar, spices and various baking mixes, jam and jellies and Mennonite candy.
Later in the season and throughout the summer and fall, the market features produce and baked goods.
Since 1985, a group of local farmers have been holding a market at the Camdenton Square. Vendors set up at 7 a.m. every Saturday in front of the Camden County Courthouse.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Salem Farmers' Market Is Blogging!
Salem Farmers' Market is jumping ahead in the technology world as they have started a blog! Check out the new Salem Farmers’ Market blog, which will be updated regularly to share information about the vendors, special events, local food issues and commentary. Bookmark the page to see what’s happening each week at the market!
Some of their features this week include some special guests who will be at the Saturday Market including bees and blacksmiths. Stop by the market to visit Max and Jo McDonald and see their bees! There will also be a blacksmithing demonstration by vendor Alan McBride. You can find this and much more information at the Salem Farmers' Market blog at http://www.salemfarmersmarket.blogspot.com/.
Questions or comments about the blog? Contact Sarah Hultine at (573) 729-3196 or hultines@missouri.edu.
Taste the Freshness--Buy Missouri
Farmers’ Markets across the State Offer Local Flavors
Long before consumers had the option of buying foods and products at local supermarkets, farmers’ markets of all sizes and locales were providing healthy, locally grown food to consumers. Missouri is now home to more than 140 farmers’ markets located in communities across the state providing a rich variety of homegrown fruits and vegetables as well as locally produced goods such as dairy, eggs and meats. Markets across Missouri offer consumers healthy, yet affordable, alternatives to the typical supermarket experience.
“Farmers’ markets in Missouri continue to thrive and provide fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the farm,” said Katie Smith, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA). “These markets not only offer consumers a fresh choice when it comes to food products, but they also offer many communities an economic advantage. Buying locally gown products is supporting our agriculture industry and communities.”
Farmers’ markets provide a unique experience allowing shoppers to meet the people who produce the goods they are purchasing, allowing the consumer to get the facts about how the food is produced. Consumers are likely to find everything from locally produced dog treats to homemade candles, jellies, freshly baked breads and bison jerky.
“Visitors to farmers’ markets can expect to find strawberries, asparagus, greens, spinach, lettuce, cabbage and onions throughout May. But come mid-June, our markets really get busy and most all of the produce and fruit will be ready for the picking,” said Lane McConnell, farmers’ market specialist with MDA. “Buying local products means experiencing local flavor and cuisine, and for a lot of consumers, that is what farmers’ markets are all about. Often what you find when purchasing supermarket products is that the majority of your dollars spent goes into shipping and production costs of produce. At your local farmers’ market, you are buying directly from the farmers; therefore, what you see is what you get.”
Whether you are seeking healthy, high-quality foods and products, looking to add a variety to your everyday cooking or looking for a fun shopping experience, Missouri farmers’ markets will have something for you this season.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
FYI: Market News You Can Use
Missouri Farmers’ Markets will begin podcasting within the next two weeks. The Missouri Department of Agriculture will starting: Experience Missouri Farmers’ Markets Podcasts that will feature various markets and vendors across the state, with in depth interviews on such topics as the Missouri Farmers’ Market Association, Cut Flowers, Bison, Market of the Year Awards, Missouri Farmers’ Market EBT Program, Consumer Buying Tips, Importance of Buying Local and much, much more! Be looking for the first of 12 installments of our podcast schedule this season. Podcasts will be produced by the Brownfield Farm Radio Network.
The long awaited Canvas Tote Bags are now available for sale. The bags are 14”h x 18”wx5”d with a zipper top and small pocket on the outside that has a new designer farmers’ market logo (logo pictured). Bags are $2.50 per bag and if you buy 10 bags, you get 10 free, with a maximum order of 60 bags, plus $.50 for shipping. Order forms have been sent out to all markets. If you need an order form please contact MDA Intern, Charlotte Jackson at 573-526-2061 or Charlotte.Jackson@mda.mo.gov.
The new Missouri Farmers’ Market Start-Up Handbook is also printed and ready to go. The handbook is for new markets or markets looking to re-organize. The book is a one-stop-shop on everything needed to know about starting and selling at a farmers’ market in Missouri. The handbook will be available online at the Missouri Farmers’ Market Resource Page within the next week as well.
Congrats to the Missouri Farmers’ Market Association (MFMA) on the 75 market to join the association. The MFMA continues to grow each year and offers many wonderful opportunities each year to our markets. If your market isn’t a member of the organization, I encourage you to join MFMA today. Contact Eileen Nichols via email: eileennichols@sbcglobal.net.
One final note: I will be starting vacation Friday, May 23 and will be unable to check email or voicemail until Thursday, June 12, as I will be out of the country. Intern Charlotte Jackson will take care of any market questions during that time. Thanks for your patience during this time.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Southwest Growers Hit Hard by Weather this Spring
The rain has finally stopped, well at least for a little while here in Missouri. We have had so much rain this spring, not to mention the cold temperatures, causing many producers to fall a little behind on planting.
Webb City Farmers’ Market producers were hit hard last week with a tornado, hail and rain. Webb City Farmers’ Market Master Eileen Nichols blogged about the losses many producers in Southwest Missouri are experiencing this year on the Webb City Farmers’ Market Blog. (Welcome to the blogosphere Webb City!)
Our thoughts are with our farmers’ market producers throughout the state that have experienced planting drawbacks this year. At least some of our producers are experiencing a bountiful strawberry harvest.
(PHOTO: Strawberries fresh from Fredrickson Farms to the Webb City Farmers' Market.)
Friday, May 16, 2008
Are You What You Eat?
Many people aren't aware of the impacts of diet on your life. Today many Americans would rather run to the five minute drive through than work for an hour preparing a family dinner. This article from ABC News focuses on how eating well and eating local can have a great impact on your life and the lives of those around you.
Power of 2: Change the Way You Eat
The bumper sticker says it all: "If I am what I eat, than I'm fast, cheap and easy."
Last year, Americans spent more than a half-trillion dollars dining out. Thirty-eight percent of that sum — more than $138 billion — was spent on fast food raised on massive factory farms, shot full of preservatives, often fried and served in large portions. Drive-through windows encourage a mindless consumption of that food, often alone and on the run.
"We're moving to a culture of 24/7 snacking and eating in front of the television and eating in the car," says Michael Pollan, author of "In Defense of Food." "One study suggests that 20 percent of American food eaten out of the house is eaten in the car. Isn't that outrageous?"
So the first suggestion most nutritionists make is to skip the fast food and eat more "slow" food. In other words, when possible take the time to prepare a meal yourself, sit down with others and savor it. This simple act can improve both your digestion and your social life.
"People don't wolf their food when they're eating with other people," says Pollan. "It leads to people having family dinners again, which is one of the most important social institutions we have."
According to a recent Columbia University survey, teenagers who eat with their families at least five times a week are more likely to get better grades in school and much less likely to have substance abuse problems. Cultures that encourage long, home-cooked meals like Italy and France have lower obesity rates.
And savoring leads to craving fresh ingredients, and our second powerful tip: Whenever possible, eat more local food produced within 150 miles of your home.
"It connects us to a desire to know where our food is coming from," says renowned New York chef Dan Barber as he strolls through a green market in lower Manhattan. "I think it's a desire that's hard-wired. It's been with us since we were hunter/gatherers. We were searching around for food that was tasty and food that wasn't poisonous for our children and food that was healthy."
Thursday, May 15, 2008
New Markets Opened for Business
The Branson Farmers’ Market opened up Saturday, May 10 for the first time ever! This new market is located downtown Branson, right off of Main Street on the corner of 114 West Pacific and business 65. The market will run Saturdays, May –October, 7am – Noon.
(PHOTO: Branson Farmers' Market Sign, May 10, 2008)
I was in the Branson area on Saturday for a fishing trip, so I dropped by the market and met with the market master and all the vendors. Some familiar faces, as one of the vendors I knew, also sells at the Ozark Farmers’ Market. The weather wasn’t perfect for a shopping day, but the market had pretty good traffic through it for a brand new market.
Another new market that I recently visited was the Crown Center Farmers’ Market in Kansas City, located in the heart of the Crown Center, right off of Grand Street.
A few of the vendors that I’ve become friends with are selling at this new market and have been saying wonderful things about the great location and impressive sales they have experienced.
The location is located by the Hallmark building and the sounds of the many waterfalls and music are heard in the background on the voices of consumers shopping for items such as fresh organic meat, baked goods, beautiful home-grown flowers, onions, orchids, strawberries and much more!
If you are traveling in the Branson or Kansas City areas, stop in talk with the farmers. Or, if you are farmer looking for another place to sell your products you can contact the market manages:
Branson Farmers' Market
Dave King
bransonbills@tri-lakes.net
Phone: 417 335-5281
Crown Center Farmers' Market
Alice Herman
customerservice@valuedvenues.com
Phone: 816-792-2670
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Farmers' Markets Rise To the Top
Farmers' markets provide something unique to consumers: the knowledge of the true home of the food and every aspect of that. The community connection of food and consumer is becoming more and more valued in today's society. This article from the Evening News and the Tribune explains the numerous reasons why farmers' markets have become so attractive to consumers in the last few years.
Soaring grocery prices make farmers markets more appealing to some
Trisha Tull can give about a million reasons why you should shop at a farmers market, and why she does as well. Freshness, taste, travel time, cost and community are only a few.
“I love knowing the people who grow my food. I love knowing the food is locally grown and didn’t travel 1,500 miles to get here. I love eating by season starting with asparagus in the spring and ending with winter squash in the fall,” Tull said. “It’s the way life should be — you should be connected to your food.”
Read the entire story here.
