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Local farmers' markets open"Tis the season: Kansas' farmers' markets, which typically open in May and early June, are making fresh, local foods available throughout the state. "Shopping the local markets offers opportunities for customers to meet growers, learn more about a variety of foods and how they are grown, and how to choose and use the local foods," said Jana Beckman, coordinator of the Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops. Beckman, who is based at K-State Research and Extension in Manhattan, spends many of her working hours helping farmers' market vendors learn more about food, food safety and sustainable agriculture, and is, for a variety of reasons, an enthusiastic supporter of the local markets. "Choosing local foods eliminates farm-to-market travel time during which food quality and flavor can suffer," Beckman said. Choosing local foods also reduces the cost--and environmental impact--of the transportation. Shopping with local growers allows consumers who may have no previous connection or experience with farm life or agriculture to learn more about food production and how to enjoy a variety of health-promoting foods, she said. Markets generally recruit local growers, who, according to the 2008 U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service Survey, sell primarily at local farmers' markets. Farmers' markets are the only marketing outlet for 70 percent of farmers' market vendors, Beckman said. While most of the foods sold at the markets is locally grown, some markets do allow regional or other foods to also be sold, said Beckman, who advised asking the vendor how and where the food was grown, how it was harvested, and, what, if any, post-harvest procedures have been used to protect the food on its way to the market. Prices for fresh produce and other products offered at local farmers' markets will generally be comparable to prices in other markets, Beckman said. During peak season or production, when supplies are plentiful, seasonal produce is typically lower in price; at local markets, consumers also may be able to save on fresh produce such as apples, potatoes or onions that may be less uniform in size than produce sold in larger supermarkets, but every bit as good--or better. Shopping the markets throughout the season can be educational and entertaining, and, in many communities, a social event, Beckman said. More information about Kansas farmers' markets and special events (community festivals, for example) is available www.localharvest.org, at county and district Extension offices, and at www.kansassustainableag.org.
===Sidebar:==== What's new at the farmers' market? In Kansas, late spring and early summer shoppers at farmers' markets are likely to find fresh, early season crops such lettuce, asparagus, snow peas, radishes, strawberries, and herbs in addition to bedding plants, and, in some markets, baked goods, and frozen meats. Many markets also offer fresh-cut flowers, crafts and food stands that sell rolls, sandwiches, ethnic foods, coffee or other beverages, entertainment, educational opportunities about gardening and food preparation, and local promotions, such as a tie-in with a community festival. --Source: Jana Beckman, coordinator, Kansas Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Alternative Crops, K-State Research and Extension.
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