A seasonal happening, area farmers' markets are a summertime staple. Instead of just driving by, take some time to stop by and to see all the things they have to offer.

Farmers' markets are a kind of show-and-tell for the year's harvest, advertising what has been grown or made that year. However, no two farmers' markets are the same, so you can try out a few ones in your area to find the items on your grocery list. They are more than just a shopping center though; at a farmers' market, you are face to face with someone who has put their time, effort, and care into growing, caring for, molding, or baking that product. You have the ability to ask questions, sample, or even converse with the seller or farmer. This means that you can also try new products because you can ask how they can be used. For example, your farmer can tell you how to eat a kohlrabi or the soap seller can tell you what artisan soap is best for dry skin. You can find out new recipes to try. Personally, I never would've discovered my love for cheese curds if I hadn't had them explained to me!

In addition, your purchase can cut the middle man, and you can see where your purchase is going: to feed that person's family, pay their expenses, and to keep their farm or business going.

While factory farms are important to sustaining the global population, now maybe more than ever, it is important to support local, family farms. Whole families work together to cultivate fields, raise animals, and keep their farms up and running all year round. Your purchase is a sign that you care about your neighbors, and you are helping them to succeed. It's easy to forget the time and effort that goes into getting your food from farm to table, but at the market, you can see directly where your food it coming from. Plus, you are helping to support your local economy.

Next, the food at farmers' markets is at the peak or freshness. This means that your produce is at its most nutritious and flavorful. Since it's locally grown, the produce doesn't need to be shipped from great distances away so you are receiving the most amount of nutrients from the fruits and vegetables you buy. Delicious baked goods are also often bakery quality: just a tasty and also often as fresh.

Finally, the Farmers' Market is a great way to celebrate community. The market is a celebration of local resources. crops, tastes, and products. Each region you visit has something unique to celebrate when it comes to local flavor. The local farmers' market highlights these unique tastes. My county is known for our maple sugar camps, so the year's maple products are often proudly on display. It's this kind of celebration that helps a community to come together and a great way to support local industry plus it's delicious!

On your next free Saturday (or whenever your local market is held), I hope you'll attend your local farmers' market to support your local farmers and buy some fresh, tasty food in the process.