Eat Locally at Farmer’s Market

Barry Pike buys locally grown vine ripened tomatoes from Tony Waddell at the 

Danville Boyle County Farmer’s Market. The tomatoes were grown under row covers.

Going to the Farmer’s Market is both fun and environmentally friendly. Shoppers enjoy the fresh air, conversation and a tantalizing selection of local foods. I even found some produce I had never heard of before. Tony Waddell of Mariner’s Rest Produce explained how to prepare patti pan squash by filling it with cheese and baking it. Last year at the farmer’s market I learned how to microwave fresh ears of corn for a snack. Besides squashes, tomatoes, beans, strawberries, and other produce there were honey, sorghum, fried apple pies, and zucchini bread. There were various relishes, fruit salsas, barbecue sauces, chow chows, and pickles -- good gifts.

By buying your food at the farmer’s market you support local family farms instead of large agribusiness. Because small family farms do not grow hundreds of acres of mono-crop, they generally need less chemical fertilizer and pesticides. They protect against degradation of their top soil. By frequenting the farmer’s market, your money supports the local economy. You buy food that is fresh and hasn’t required transport from far away. Since transportation is the second largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, buying locally grown food helps lessen global warming. Buying local produce lessens the amount of oil we import.

The Danville Boyle County Farmer’s Market is open Tuesday mornings 8-noon, Thursday evenings 5-8:30, and Saturday mornings 8-noonish. It is located on Walnut Street in Constitution Square.

Contributed by Christine Missik, Chairperson, Healthy Planet Initiatives Local Citizens Group. Contact us at hplaneti@aol.com

Copyright 2007 Christine Missik