A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra.
FIVE REASONS TO SHOP AT FARMERS’ MARKETS
Strong sense of community
Farmers’ markets contribute to a closer and more meaningful sense of community. They bring community members together for business purposes that are conducted in a social and relationship oriented manner.
Farmers’ markets are beneficial to local economies. Consumers spend money within the community and buy locally grown produce instead of purchasing mass produced food that has been transported from thousands of kilometres away. This contributes to the job security of farmers which helps them to remain a successful business in the community.
Food quality
Typically, the food found in farmers’ markets is fresh and high quality. Since the food is grown locally, it spends very little time in transit and in some cases may have often been picked hours before being purchased. This can be compared to the major grocery stores where food often travels for thousands of kilometres over a number of days before reaching consumers. Locally grown food ripens in the field, is picked in season and reaches consumers at its best nutritional quality and taste.
Know where it’s coming from
Farmers’ markets allow consumers to ask questions directly to those who are responsible for growing the food. This opens up an important communication and information channel for consumers. It allows them to ask about food quality, the growing process, what was involved with making the food, if chemicals were used in the process and other important questions that may not be easily answered in a grocery store. This interaction builds trust between the farmer and the consumer.
Intimate atmosphere at the point of purchase
Farmers’ markets provide an intimate and fun environment for the whole family. It is unlikely that you will see families go to the grocery store for the day as a family outing. Instead farmers’ markets are often viewed as fun social attractions, which make for good family outings. Many offer fun events or games for entertainment purposes.
A study showed that on average a shopper will have 15 to 20 social interactions at a farmers’ market, compared to one to two at a grocery store.
Adding value
Farmers’ markets often add a great deal of value to their products in different ways. Value adding to products is any enhancement that helps to increase its economic value. Adding value helps to build customer satisfaction and increase the likelihood of them returning. A few examples of farmers’ markets adding value to their product include:
– add nutritional information;
– provide recipes;
– suggest other local attractions in the area;
– offer fun events (wagon rides or agri-tourism);
– small-scale food processing (personal); and
– CSA community supported agriculture (weekly food boxes).
COMING EVENTS
Aug. 26 to 27 – Grand River Fair and Exhibition, please see website for more information – http://www.grandriveragsociety.com/ or call 519-846-8879.
Aug. 26 to 28 – Markdale Fair, please see website for more information – http://www.markdalefair.ca.
Aug. 26 to 28 – Palmerston Fair, for more information, please e-mail Angela Schneider at a-schneid@hotmail.com
Aug. 26 to 28 – Teeswater Fair – for more information, please see website – http://www.teeswaterfair.org/ or call 519-357-2365.
