7 Reasons to Buy Local

1) You know where your food comes from

When you buy directly from the farmer, you are honoring the time-honored connection between the grower and the eater. If you have questions about the farmers growing practices, you can ask; if you want to participate and learn more about agriculture most farmers would love to have you!

2) Buying locally keeps money in our community

Significantly more money remains in our community when our dollars are spent at local businesses. Those businesses then purchase more often from other local businesses, service providers, and farms. For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $45 goes back into the community and our tax base, as compared to $14 back for every $100 spent at a chain store.

3) Small farms help the environment

Local food comes from small family farms. Small farms are more willing and able to use sustainable practices like growing cover crops to prevent erosion, replace nutrients used by their crops, and capture carbon emissions; using drip irrigation to use less water; and use compost instead of fertilizer to keep chemicals off their land and out of our food.

4) Local food tastes better

Local produce, like that sold at farmers markets and through CSAs, has generally been picked within the past day or two, keeping its bold flavor and crisp texture.

5) Local seasonal food is better for you

Recent studies have shown that produce loses nutrients quickly. The sooner it is eaten after it's picked, the better it is for you because those nutrients are retained.

6) Buying local food supports local farm families

Farmers make up less than 2% of the population, and that percentage is decreasing. Local farmers who sell directly to the consumer are receiving 100% of the cost of their goods, giving them the living wage they deserve and allowing them to stay on the farm, doing what they love.

7) Get more variety by buying local

Market-direct farmers grow a huge variety of produce to maximize the growing season, provide an array of eye-catching colors, and please their customers with the best flavors.

 Market Shopping Tips

Check when the market is open

The Prescott Farmers Market is open Saturday mornings 7:30-noon, and the Chino Valley market is open Thursday afternoons 3-6 pm. Remember, you'll find the best selection early in the day.

Bring your own bag or basket

Buy a PFM bag at the Information Booth, or recycle your plastic bags, asking vendors to use them instead of theirs.

Go without a list

The point of going to a farmers market is to get the freshest produce possible. Plan on buying whatever is in season and looks best, and plan your meals around your purchase. Take time to taste and compare the offerings of different vendors.

Try new foods

Buy something you've never had before. Ask the farmer their favorite way of preparing it.

Take time to chat with the farmers

Get to know your food by getting to know who grows it. This is part of the fun of shopping at a farmers market, and will make you a wiser shopper.

Go straight home

Fresh produce in a hot car will wilt, so take it home before running other errands. Or, bring an ice chest to keep the produce cool.

Don't squash your tomatoes

As you buy, put heavier, firmer items on the bottom of your bag.

Store produce to last

Once home, store all green produce in plastic bags in the refrigerator and always keep tomatoes, garlic, potatoes and onions at room temperature. Ask the farmers if you are unsure of the best way to store or prepare the items you've bought.