|
free tools
Welcome
to the Free Tools Articles archive.
|
spirit
articles
Farmer's
Markets
My
number one nutritional tip to clients is to fall in love with
food again.
By taking an interest in what goes into your mouth, a chain-reaction
towards health begins.
Generally, giving supermarkets a wide berth as often as possible
will bring you closer to top quality food. If you have ever had
a veggie garden you will know exactly what I mean. Home-grown
food always tastes better than the supermarket equivalent because
it’s never just thoughtlessly consumed.
However, most people have neither the time nor the space to grow
their own produce, which is why farmers’ markets are unbeatable.
Here is a list of the benefits, taken from the National Association
of Farmers’ Markets at www.farmersmarkets.net.
Benefits for Producers
-
Farmers’
Markets cut out the middleman allowing increased financial
returns through direct selling, price control, and a regular
cash flow.
-
Transport
and packaging requirements are less thus reducing the producers'
costs.
They
provide a secure and regular market outlet. This is especially
valuable for; new producers, producers in organic conversion,
and small scale producers who are unable to produce the quantity
required by supermarkets.
With the increase in market numbers it is possible for individual
producers to attend a substantial number of different markets.
A number of farmers have indicated that this form of marketing
has prevented their businesses from bankruptcy.
Benefits for Consumers
-
Farmers’
Markets provide direct contact and feedback between customers
and producers, so you can be sure how your vegetables are
grown and meat produced.
-
They
help to improve diet and nutrition by providing access to
fresh food.
-
They
can be a source of information and inspiration on how to cook
and prepare fresh ingredients.
Benefits
for The Environment
-
Farmers’
Markets help reduce food miles, thus vehicle pollution, noise,
and fossil fuel use.
-
They
help to reduce packaging.
-
They
encourage more environmental production practices, such as
organic or pesticide free.
-
They
encourage farm diversification and hence bio-diversity.
The
Community & Local Economy
-
Farmers’
Markets help bring life into towns and cities aiding regeneration.
-
They
encourage social interaction particularly between rural and
urban communities.
-
They
stimulate local economic development by increasing employment,
encouraging consumers to support local business, and thus
keeping the money within the local community.
-
They
attract business to retailers in the vicinity.
Too
often we ignore the benefits of good food for creating health
- instead we purchase the cheaper, intensively-produced versions
and buy supplements by the bag-load to make up for all the deficiencies
of the commercially farmed produce.
Don’t you agree that it’s just crazy?
Farmers’ Markets are established all over the world - check the
internet for your local market. Alternatively many people who
don’t have a market nearby have formed a group, then approached
a local farm and now have the fresh produce sent out to them.
Remember: you are what you eat!
Your
3d Coach
Craig
Burton
|
