Buying Local

On every consumer's mind is the question: How much will this cost me? The good news is this: Organic produce from farmer's markets is generally the same price as organic produce from most other sources. Data from a 2010 study by the Seattle University Albers School of Business and Economics showed the following results at four University District food markets.

( figure original, data available here)

The food pricing at the farmers market was very comparable to other markets. During the summer and autumn months, farmers often will sell in-season produce at even lower prices than in supermarkets.

The relationship between local food producers and consumers starts with you! Every individual consumer's decision to purchase local foods and support local farmers markets will allow local food production to grow and flourish. Purchasing foods locally has other effects as well as reducing environmental impacts:

- Buying from local vendors and in local markets spurs growth in the local economy.
- Fresh, seasonal foods contain more fresh nutrients than produce that spends several days in transit.
- Local farmers grow more individual varieties of fruits and vegetables than a typical supermarket.
- Farmers markets help you buy seasonally; if it's not there, it's not in season.
- Most importantly: You help our local food markets grow even stronger!

Due to the indisputable fact that fresh, local produce is downright tasty, where can you find it right here in Washington State?

The WA Farmer's Market Association is a fantastic resource for finding markets across the state:
http://www.wafarmersmarkets.com/washingtonfarmersmarketdirectory.php
Seattle Farmers Markets is a collective of the major seven farmers markets in the city of Seattle. Go here for all information about openings, closings, and vendors at each market:
http://www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org/
Puget Sound Fresh has a handy utility that can find you local produce by type and season:
http://www.pugetsoundfresh.org/
If you are a UW student like me, you may be interested in checking out our very own urban farm experiment right here:
UW Farm
http://students.washington.edu/uwfarm/


Can't make it to a farmer's market? Farmer's market closed? Here are some tips for buying local at the supermarket:

- Look for food labeled local! Easy to do, but easy to overlook.
- Check what's in season. If it's seasonal locally, it's more likely to be grown locally. Here are the charts for Vegetables and Fruit in Washington (WA Dept. of Agriculture).
- An apple a day! Yes, it's true that most apples around the area are grown here in Washington.
- Check milk and dairy packaging for local sourcing. Most dairy is local as well!
- Ask your butcher or fishmonger for what was made or grown locally.
- Buy fruits when they're in season and grown locally, and then freeze them for use later.