Farmers' markets appear to be opening in warming parts of the country to strong crowds and highly-positive press.
Last year, 6,132 farmers' markets were open nationwide, a 16 percent increase over the year before, and double the number of markets a decade ago, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Most articles heralding the openings attributed their popularity to consumers looking to eat fresher food and support local businesses.
"It's nice to support our local farmers," Joyce Beneke, visiting a local farmers' market in San Antonio, told KSAT 12 in Texas. "And I'm into 'fresh.'" Consumers are also said to assume that produce from the local farmer will be safer. "People are more aware (of pesticides) and they want to go organic," Celia Rios, with Peralta Farms in Natalia, told KSAT. One change over the last decade is that farmers' markets are increasingly offering more variety beyond fruits and vegetables. For instance, the market in Kennett, MO, will be offering hand-made crafts, handmade soaps, lotions, salsa and candles. Also for sale will be herbs and spices, bedding plants, hanging and potted plants and cut flowers, as well as cheese, meats, fish, poultry, eggs, baked goods, local honey, maple syrup and preserves. Farmers' markets also appear to be getting more organized. Credit cards are increasingly being taken by stands. In Minneapolis, food stamps are being increasingly accepted.
Still, some believe of the charm of farmers' markets is the social aspect. "What I love and have learned is that every market has its own vibe, its own personality," said Pascale Le Draoulec, director of farmers markets in Hastings, Irvington and Chappaqua in New York and a former restaurant critic for the New York Daily News, to Weschester.com. "The market has to reflect the community; each is a place where people can come and hang out, and experience small town life on the weekends." Mr. Le Draoulec said he favored the European approach "where if you're having a dinner party or simply a family dinner, you can come to the market and get the freshest, most flavorful locally grown or produced things you need." But he also advocated a family-friendly emphasis. "My children often spend the day with me at the market. They like hanging out with the vendors (who always give them tastes), and are gaining a huge appreciation of food. They've helped plant lettuce, and then watch it come to market three weeks later.
It's such a great experience for them. It's important for them and for all of us to know that there's a story behind the food."