Farmer's Market - Here We Come!

The next choice I researched in my “summer project” was organic produce, as well as local produce. I discovered that there are few benefits to buying organic produce, especially considering the hefty price tag. The main arguments for organic produce are the use of pesticides and the environmental impact. When it comes to pesticide use, you basically have to pick your poison – pesticides or parasites. Yes, trace amounts of pesticides are found on non-organic fruits and vegetables. However, washing your produce before eating it can almost entirely eliminate the pesticides. Any trace amounts left are considered within acceptable limits. Produce grown without pesticides run the risk of being infested with pests and parasites. Bugs can lay eggs on and in fruits and vegetables, which then lead to people consuming the eggs or hatched insects. Given these two options, I think I would rather ingest some pesticides, even if it is just because of the “yuck factor.” Environmentally, there are some benefits to organic farming, but there are opportunity costs associated with organic farming as well. Land must sit “vacant” and not be cropped for five years to be certified as organic. This is a huge money loss for farmers. Also, there is less demand for organic produce so it is much more expensive to produce. Farmers that try to exclusively farm organically may run a financial risk and end up being forced to sell off land to developers; therefore, defeating the environmental purpose of growing organically. While organic may not be any better than non-organic produce, buying produce locally has huge health and community benefits. Buying fruits and vegetables locally means they may have more nutrients. As produce sits on the shelf, it changes and loses nutrients. Buying locally ensures fruits and vegetables are “just picked” and higher in nutrients. Also, since the fruits and vegetables are fresher, they will last longer at home and there is less chance of having to throw out those that go bad. Buying locally also helps the local economy by helping farmers financially. Farmers generally only see less than 10 cents of every food dollar from food sold in grocery stores. Buying locally at road side stands and farmer’s markets eliminates the “middle man” and allows farmers to profit more from their crops. Finally, buying locally reduces the number of “food miles” our groceries travel. Less travel means fewer carbon emissions from transport vehicles and fewer packaging requirements. This truly does have a positive environmental impact. So we will be heading to our local farmer’s market this summer and buying from some friends that have crops. Which I am excited about because walking down to the farmer’s market on Saturday mornings is one of my favorite things to do anyway. Now I just feel like a smart gal for doing so!