Shopping at your local farmers market keeps more money in
the local economy, gets you the freshest produce, and empowers you to get to
know your food and farmers. It is
important to ask questions so you can make the decisions you feel are best for
your family. We put together a list of questions we feel form relationships
with your farmers and make these choices easier.
- Where is your farm? Do you grow everything you sell? Some markets allow purveyors to resell produce they bought from wholesalers while others are producers only. If you are unsure if your market is producers only this is an important question to ask.
- How do you manage pests, disease, and weeds? At most markets you are going to come across a mix of organic and conventional growers. While use of things such as pesticides may not be a deal breaker for you, it is helpful to know what kind and how often they are used.
- What kinds of fertilizers or soil amendments do you use? Soil amendments and fertilizers are used to add nutrients such as carbon and nitrogen to help grow hearty plants. There are many types of fertilizers and soil amendments both natural and synthetic.
- Are any of your seeds genetically modified? Seeds can be genetically engineered for many reasons such as producing plants that are pest and drought resistant. Question as to their safety, testing, and regulation have led many people to avoid them.
- Do you use any heirloom seeds? Just like the name suggests heirloom seeds have been passed down for generations because the products they produce have been and continue to be treasured. Heirloom seeds produce varieties you won’t likely find in stores.
Sustainable Table has put together a great list of questions to ask your farmers and producers including those who sell beef, pork, poultry,
and eggs.
