Why―and How―to Shop at a Farmers’ Market

1. You know what you’re getting. When you buy produce from the supermarket, it’s hard to tell where the produce came from, what chemicals or pesticides may have been used in growing it, or what labor practices the growers employ, says Erin Barnett, director of LocalHarvest.org, a website that connects consumers with organic, sustainable, and local farms. Buying directly from the farmer allows you to ask questions. Exactly how old is the produce? Did it ripen on a vine or in a truck? And if you’re the show-me type, the farms are close enough to visit. Read more