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Bring
a farmers' market to you
March 25, 04
Suzanne Havala Hobbs
Do
a farmer a favor and do yourself one at the same time. This
spring, buy locally grown produce from small North Carolina
farms.
Why? Because small farmers need your support, and the fruits
and vegetables they grow are vital for your health.
Locally grown, seasonal fruits and vegetables are more nutritious
because they come to your table within a day -- or even hours
-- of being picked. That preserves vitamins that otherwise
deteriorate in the days it takes other foods to be shipped
across country and stocked in supermarkets.
Plus, fresh, in-season foods just taste better. Produce trucked
cross-country is often picked before it’s fully ripened.
Think about the difference in flavor between a hothouse tomato
and one vine-ripened in your back yard.
So where can you get locally grown produce? Several places,
including mini farmers markets brought right to your workplace.
I’ve talked about CSA farms in past columns. CSA stands
for “community supported agriculture.” Residents
of a community pay a local farmer a predetermined amount of
money upfront. In return, they get a portion of the harvest
throughout the growing season.
Lists of CSA farms in North Carolina are available at the
N.C. State University Cooperative Extension web site: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/csafarms.html
and through the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association at http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/.
Another good bet, of course, is a farmers market.
North Carolina has five permanent, state-sponsored farmers
markets in Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, the Piedmont Triad
area, and Lumberton. Information about the hours and locations
of these markets is available online at http://www.ncagr.com/markets/facilit/farmark/.
Other options: independent farmers markets and roadside stands
throughout many communities.
But there’s another choice.
A direct marketing initiative run by the North Carolina Department
of Agriculture can bring a farmers market directly to you.
“We call it the mini mobile farmers market,” said
Freda Butner, registered dietitian and nutrition marketing
specialist for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services in Raleigh.
“The idea is to reach more people with local produce,
help support small farmers, and improve nutrition for groups
who can’t get fresh produce readily,” Butner said.
This spring, the mini markets will target hospitals, senior
centers, retirement communities and nursing homes. A market
set up at Duke Medical Center in Durham has grown from a once-a-month
event to two to three times per week since its start in 2001.
Butner says that organizations have to experiment to test
the demand.
“The first day at Duke was a flop,” said Butner.
“It was snowing in April. After that, it took off.”
Butner says that mini markets can be set up to meet any size
demand or even to coincide with special events, such as an
employee appreciation day, Fourth of July bash, or a theme
day. Cooking demos also can be arranged.
Butner will help organize and coordinate mini farmers markets
at the outset, until an organization can put a facility organizer
in place. She also helps with marketing and advertising.
In addition to bringing farmers markets to organizations,
Butner also helps food service operations -- including the
cafeterias at hospitals and senior centers -- find sources
of local produce.
“We’re interested in providing the same service
directly from the farmer to the food service organization,”
Butner said.
Consider working through your workplace to set up a mini farmers
market. You’ll be doing yourself, your co-workers and
local farmers some good.
For more information, reach Butner at the North Carolina Department
of Agriculture in Raleigh at 919-733-7887, extension 263,
or via email at freda.butner@ncmail.net.
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