Over the past year and a half, I have been awakened to just how important it is to treat your body with respect and, most importantly, love. I've discovered that food is the medicine for our bodies and eating locally grown food is one of the best ways to give your body the gift of self love and care. Purchasing foods grown with love by members in your community not only saves your health but your environment as well. You are creating a brighter future for yourself and for future generations to establishing the importance for access to beautiful locally grown foods.

I was inspired to write this article after my cousin Danielle joined forces with her friends to create her town's very first farmer's market! Danielle's passion for supporting local agriculture and her intelligence on the matter is absolutely inspiring. I asked her to collaborate with me on this article and her reasons to eat locally this summer are amazing!

Lettuce begin! Here are twelve reasons to check out your local farmers markets this summer!

1. Farmers markets support local farms and businesses, keeping small organizations in business.

Some people don’t know how many farms are in their area. When farms participate in farmer's markets, they are essentially getting free advertising. This means that once market season is over, more people are likely to shop at the local farms rather than at the supermarket.

2. Eating local is better for your health.

If you know where your food comes from, you know more about how it was grown and what went into it. This is a great way to avoid pesticides, antibiotics, and other unwanted chemicals.

3. Farmers markets are much more convenient than farm stores.

Rather than traveling all around town to get to each farm store, a farmers market is like a supermarket of fresh, local food.

4. Farmers markets are much less expensive and allow you to get all of your goods in one place.

CSA’s are a common alternative to farmers markets, as they allow a family to purchase a share of a crop from a farmer. However, CSA’s tend to be pricey and you often cannot get all of your goods from one farm.

5. Shopping at farmers markets will instantly make your grocery haul healthier.

You will avoid the temptations of processed foods and will instead purchase more fresh produce.

6. Farmers markets create a fun atmosphere for people to congregate.

They often feature bands, activities, yoga classes, or free massages. This makes them a great activity for an afternoon and a community to engage in.

7. Farmers markets teach people about their food and where it comes from.

Children especially are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables when they see that it actually came from the ground, rather than just a shelf at the store.

8.You can make a personal connection with the people who grow your food at a farmers market.

You can talk to the farmer, learn about their growing practices, and even go visit them at their farm or farm store after the market.

9. You are eating seasonally.

The best time to eat certain foods is when they can be purchased directly from a local grower.

10. You are helping to save the environment.

By purchasing locally grown foods you are preserving the farmland in your community and saving wide open space for animals to live.

11. Local produce tastes better!

Local fruits and vegetables are packed with flavor and nutrients because they are picked at the peak of ripeness versus being picked early and shipped to your local supermarket.

12. You are supporting the future.

You are ensuring that there will be farms in your community. You are making it possible for future generations to have access to locally grown foods. How cool is that?

If you're feeling inspired, go online to find a Farmers Market closest to you! If your town doesn't have one, start your own!

http://ctnofa.org/FarmersMarkets.htm