One of my favorite things to do in the summertime on a Saturday is to head down to the Eastern Market in Detroit with my girls. The market is filled with fresh produce and great values. Shopping local has a lot of benefits for your health and your pocket. Today, we will discuss six reasons why you should be shopping at the local farmer’s market

1. You’re supporting local farmers and the community.
Sadly, farming is becoming a thing of the past. Shopping local and buying from within the community helps to stimulate the economy. When the middle man — for example, a grocery store — is eliminated, it allows for a higher profit for the farmer. This also means it can be more affordable for the consumer. You would be pleasantly surprised to see how much produce you can get for cheap!

2. The produce is may be organic and not genetically modified.
Some farmers don’t use pesticides, which are harmful to your health. The soil that organic farmers use is higher quality and better for the environment. Also, the seeds they use to grow the produce are generally non-GMO. Also, keep in mind what grocery stores charge for organic produce. At an organic farmer’s market, you are getting fresh produce at an extremely inexpensive price.

3. The food is full of nutrients.
Have you ever noticed that the fruits and vegetables at the farmer’s market always look vibrant and delicious? The pigments found in produce is based off of the nutrients it contains. For example, vegetables that are bright orange in color, such as carrots, are high in carotenoids. The brighter the color the higher the concentration.

4. Everything is fresh.
Typically, the farmers pick the fruit in the morning before heading to the market. This way you are getting the freshest produce possible. The fruits and veggies that you find at the grocery store often sit there for days or weeks and some constantly get pushed to the bottom of the barrel. I once read that some apples found in the grocery store can be over a year old! Not only is the produce fresh but it’s perfectly ripe. It is picked at the optimal time when the sugars are at their peak. And since the produce is super fresh the favors are unbelievable.

5. They offer a wide variety of fruits and veggies.
It seems like every time I’m at the market I’m introduced to a new type of food or a new flavor. A lot of farmer’s grow things such as rhubarb and a range of different apples. Trying new foods can be fun and keeps you from getting bored when eating healthy.

6. You know where your food came from.
From farm to table, nothing in between. When you buy produce at the grocery store, no one really knows all of the places it stops along the way. Also, the more places it goes the more it changes hands is touched by people.

There are so many reasons to love farmer’s markets. They provide a wide variety of fresh, local produce at great prices. And going to the market is a fun social outing. Also keep in mind, farmer’s markets don’t only have fruits and vegetables. It’s a great place to pick up delicious pies and homemade jams. So grab some girlfriends and head to the market this weekend!