There is growing concern in our country about the health and saftey of our food sources. What are we to do? One way you can address the concerns is by supporting local agriculture through purchases at farmers markets. In 1994, 1,755 farmers markets were in operation throughout the United States, today there are more than 5,274 active markets. Farmers' markets allow communities and local farmers to connect and purchase locally produced food that will taste better, give you the opportunity to know what you are eating, offer opportunities to meet your neighbors, allow you to get in touch with the seasonal foods, give support to small farms and local economies and more importantly, you will be healthier and happier!
Other related benefits: less travel - saves fossil fuel and carbon omissions, you can eat food at its peak of flavor and nutritional value, it keeps the farmers farming! and helps keep our landscapes beautiful and diverse.
Last year I joined a local group of concerned Ouray citizens and formed the Ouray Farmers Market. It was a small operation, but we all felt it was a success and great value to our rural community. Recently, I attended the Colorado Farmers' Market Associations Annual meeting in Salida, CO. It was exciting and inspirational to learn about what other markets are doing around the state and I felt proud to be apart of this growing organization. I am looking forward to supporting local agriculture and working with other community members to make the Ouray Farmers Market more successful each year. I would encourage you to do the same in your community.
Food for thought - Think Global - Eat Local
Sustainability is through localization of resources.
Find a farmers' market near you, the benefits are beyond health
and the safety of your food.
In Southwest Colorado: Ouray, Rigway,Telluride, Montrose and Durango
Great web site- http://www.organicconsumers.org/
Recommended reading: The Ominvore's Dilemma
by Michael Pollan
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