Farmers' Markets Facts

Farmers markets allow consumers to have access to locally grown, farm fresh produce, enables farmers the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with their customers, and cultivate consumer loyalty with the farmers who grows the produce. Direct marketing of farm products through farmers markets continues to be an important sales outlet for agricultural producers nationwide. Today, there are more than 4,600 farmers markets operating throughout the nation.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/farmersmarkets

Eating Local and Seasonal

Most produce grown in the United States travels an average of 1,500 miles before it gets sold. Trucking, shipping and flying in food from around the country and the globe takes a toll on the environment and on public health. Visit the Natural Resources Defense Council to find a list of the produce in season in your region.
http://www.nrdc.org/health/foodmiles/?gclid=CI-qluepuJsCFRwpawod_GITAQ

Find Farmers' Market in Your Area

LocalHarvest maintains a definitive and reliable "living" public nationwide directory of small farms, farmers markets, and other local food sources. Their search engine helps people find products from family farms, local sources of sustainably grown food, and encourages them to establish direct contact with small farms in their local area. Find Farmers' Markets in your region by visiting http://www.localharvest.org/.