Is it better to buy Fruit and Vegetables from a store or from a farmers market?

Question

I asked my locals farmers market if there produce was organic and they said.

"Our produce is GMO-free however we are not classified as organic. We do use the minimal amount of pesticides necessary to protect crops from the destruction of various pests that destroy produce."

Would it be better to buy fruits and vegetables Labeled "organic" from my local grocery store.. or to get them from the farmers market? As far as HEALTH wise. not business wise.

Answer 1

Health-wise, organic produce DOES NOT contain more vitamins or minerals than non-organic produce. I would suggest to you this... If freshness is a concern, local markets will usually have fresher produce since their is less transport involved. However, you will more than likely get more variety and quantities to choose from at your local store. You would be amazed at how hard your local store works to get the BEST and FRESHEST produce to you at the lowest cost! They do A LOT of work on this...



Personally, my education has led me to trust non-organic produce more than organic. Advancements in technology allows humanity to: grow more produce per acre, alter plants and soil to better resist pests and weeds (which leads to greater quantity), increase the ripeness/freshness of produce, etc...

Answer 2

Right now; the only edible things I'm growing are some herbs (mints, thyme, and basils), and chili (habanero, serrano, and poblanos). We're hoping that next year our banana trees will produce a crop; the trees are young and were damaged by a freeze last winter. I buy fresh fruit and vegetables at least once, and most often twice a week. I go to a local produce market and also to weekend Farmers Markets. During very busy weeks, I do buy fresh produce at the supermarket; things like bananas, seasonal fruit, and packages of prepared lettuces and spring mixes.

Answer 3

You will get the freshest produce at a farmers market as most is picked within 48 hours of sale. A grocery store's produce is usually 5 to 10 days old by the time it hits the shelves. You also get the widest variety as you have many growers in one place and most will grow both hybrid (what you find at a grocery store) and heirlooms. I know on my farm we grow over 20 different kinds of tomatoes including black, green (when ripe) striped, yellow, orange and of course red. i also grow 7 different kinds of zucchini and none of it dark green (about the only thing you will find at a grocery store) As far as cantaloupe, my farm grows 10 different kinds. I use to set up next to a guy who grew and sold over 50 different varieties of apples including several varieties that were over 150 years old. What I am getting at, is at a decent farmers market you will find a lot more variety than at a grocery store.



Because the food is far fresher it will be more nutritious, for the most part, especially leafy greens that lose 50% of their nutrients within 48 hours.



At most farmers market most of the farmers are not organic but most will have at least one certified organic farmer and generally a couple of formerly certified farmers who still grow as if certified but no longer want to deal with the USDA, but you do have to ask around. Remember organic farms make up less than 5% of all farms in the USA and while you tend to find more organics on the local level they are still quite rare.



Oh yeah, when you buy locally your are direct supporting a local farmer and when you spend your money at a locally owned business over 75% of that money stays in the region and strengthens the local economy. When you buy from a non local store over 65% of the money leaves the area making it economically weaker. So buying at a farmers market is always healthier for the local economy as well as for your body.

Answer 4

Yes but pay them with 5 potato. No matter what, it's always 5 potato.