The air is cold and dry, the lights flicker uncomfortably.  Your metal cart skids along the slippery floor, it’s back wheel get stuck as you try to push it.  You reach for a package and find you can’t decipher any of the ingredients except for the fine print which says ’may contain traces of nuts’. 
 
Yup, you’re in a supermarket. 
 
Wouldn’t it be better to stroll along a tree-lined street, your dog wagging his tail at his new found friends, a basket in your arm made by a local artisan filled with fresh vegetables, hand made soaps and locally collected honey?
 
Creating an experience with food by shopping at a local farmer’s market can make shopping for food less of a chore and more of an event.  We know shopping local is the most sustainable option and good for the local economy but there’s more to it than that.
 
A Family affair.  Taking your children to a market is a great way to spend time with them outdoors and have them interacting with the local community.  There are many children growing up in urban areas that don’t know a french fry comes from a potato or that a potato comes from the ground.  Embracing food culture might even help them eat their vegetables!  Many markets also have children’s activities like face painting (or oven fresh cookie sampling).
 
Fresh is an understatement.  Vegetables in your supermarket have often been sitting on a truck for weeks before they reach the store shelves.  They were picked before they were ripe resulting an less flavour, less nutrients and more chemicals (so they don’t rot in the back of that truck). Buying from a local farmer means they picked that basket of strawberries yesterday or baked that apple pie earlier that morning (farmer’s get up early).  How do you know if it’s fresh? Try smelling a tomato from your supermarket and then smell one from your farmer’s market.  Fruits and vegetables smell the best when they are ready to eat and you’ll even notice farm fresh produce is more colourful (more nutrients!)
 
Friends with Farmers.  Getting to know your local farmers helps you get to know what you’re eating, how it’s grown and where it’s coming from.  A farmer’s farm is their heart and soul so you will be sure to have an eager farmer answer any questions you might have.  Are they happy chickens? Organic apples?  or, What’s swiss-chard and what do I do with it?

Like France Local.  Once you’ve become addicted to your own communites fresh produce, why not explore those of other cultures.  A great way to aborb yourself in another country is to shop their local markets while you’re there.  You’ll know for sure you’re getting the ultimate cultural experience if you’re eating fresh fish straight off the boat then whatever is put on your plate at that overpriced restaurant.
 
Follow your Seasons.  Eating locally means you’re eating what’s in season.  The produce is fresher and tastier and you’re less likely to get bored of your dinner menu.  Just like you crave pumpkin pie at thanksgiving in the fall, you’ll crave blueberry in the spring and strawberry in the summer.  Your menu will constantly be changing and you’re sure to discover new favourites as you go. For BC’s seasonal produce, click here.

Shopping local and at farmer’s markets creates a strong network in communities so that all can prosper and in the long run prevent our planet from deteriorating by creating a holistic approach to grocery shopping. Let’s make processed foods, frozen dinners and pesticide coated food a thing of the past!

Photo: Sechelt Farmer’s Market