3 reasons to shop at a local farmers market

Good morning Dinks and happy Friday.  Tomorrow I am going to a local farmers market and I’m really excited about it – probably more excited than someone should normally be, but oh well.  I am finally starting to feel like myself again after having the cold from hell for several weeks so I’m looking forward to a) being outside on the weekend and b) interacting with other people.

Do you shop local?

I have been to a local farmers market a couple of times, but in the past it was more because my friend was going and I wanted to hang out with her.  However tomorrow I’m going with Nick and it’s purely for research purposes.  We want to compare the difference in quality and price between shopping at our convenient grocery store and the-little-bit-out-of-our-way farmers market.

I am expecting to find that it’s a balance between both.  We should support local vendors and buy fresh fruit and vegetables as well as meat and cheese at the farmers market.  We will probably still have to shop at a traditional grocery store for staples like ketchup and margarine as well as bread and other necessities of such, but overall I’m hoping we can find a lot of great stuff at the local farmers market.

Here are some reasons I’m looking forward to our farmers market trip:

We can spend the day outside

It feels like I haven’t seen sunlight in several weeks.  Between all the rain here in Montreal and being sick I haven’t ventured outside much.  However this weekend is supposed to be nothing but clear skies and sunshine.  I’m looking really forward to spending a day outside walking around buying fresh produce.  I might even get to work on my tan.

Everything is fresh

This is a  major bonus.  Buying fruits and veggies at a local farmers market is the next best thing to growing your own produce in your backyard garden.  Since we live in an apartment Nick and I can’t grow tomatoes, peas and carrots, but we can buy them from farmers who do.

We’ll save a lot of money

Saving money anywhere is a major bonus.  Not only will our produce be fresh and chemical free it will also be cheap because we are cutting out the middle man and buying direct from the supplier.  Oh that sounds so badass, but it’s true.

The ability to buy directly from the people who produce the produce helps cut down the costs and markups that big chain grocery stores charge.  Trust me I love Whole Foods and everything they stand for but their groceries are very expensive.

Do you shop local?

Kristina Tahnyak

Tahnya is a Certified Financial Planner and former Investment Advisor turned marketing and communications professional She holds a degree from Concordia University, is debt free and currently works in the field of digital marketing.