Farmers Market: A Healthier Way to Shop and Cook

Farmers Market: A Healthier Way to Shop and CookPresented by: Brittany and MarthaKSC Dietetic Interns

How Many Miles?• How far do you think produce travels from farms to grocery stores?

How Many Miles?Food Grocery Store Miles Farm Miles

Strawberries 1,402 (Florida) 0 (Concord)

Asparagus 889 (Michigan) 40 (Fitzwilliam)

Potato 2,646 (Idaho) 0 (Concord)

Lettuce 2,799 (Arizona) 0 (Concord)

Beef 1,412 (Kansas) 8 (Loudon)

Bread 1,280 (Georgia) 15 (Weare)

Honey 6,964 (China) 8 (Loudon)

Objectives:1. Identify locations of nearby farmers markets

2. Identify one way farmers are extending the growing season

3. Identify two food quality benefits of buying local produce

Food Miles:• The distance food is transported from production until it reaches the

consumer

• Average in the US = 1,500 miles

• Over 45 farmers markets are located in NH which only measures 190 x 70 miles

• There are many more small farms that do not attend farmers markets

What is the cost of transporting food?• Large scale production equipment

• Transportation

• Labor

• Emissions

• Preventing spoilage

Quality of produce from large farms• Commercial farmers spend $4.1 billion on pesticides annually

• Corn is the #1 produced crop in the US and 88% of it is genetically modified

• Some vitamins and minerals can be lost during transportation due to exposure to heat, cold, and light

Should you go organic?

ORGANIC

• USDA certification

• Regulates pest control, livestock care, and produce handling

• Expensive

LOCALLY PRODUCED

• You can talk to the farmer

• You can see where the produce was grown

• Many farmers use practices that are similar to organic practices

Sustainability• Buying from local farmers supports people in your community who in

turn buy local and employ local community members.

How farmers are extending the season• Greenhouses allow farmers to plant earlier in the spring, and harvest

later into the fall

• Farmers are growing more produce that stores well such as root vegetables and apples

Where are farmers markets happening?• Capitol Street• Tuesdays 8:30 am -12:00 pm• May thru October

• Steeplegate Mall• Thursdays 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm• Starting in June

Who can you find at the farmers market?

What will $10 get you at the market?

THANK YOU!