Why is choosing to buy local the best choice for your community and its hardworking business owners?  Here is the straight forward answer, according to research, “every dollar spent at a locally owned business re-circulates into the community 4 to 15 times.  For every dollar spent at a big box retailer, only 6 cents remains in your community”.  Astonishing if you think about it.  Shopping local is clearly the best choice for all of us; money circulating in your own community supports...

The best time to shop a farmers market is early!  Visiting in the morning helps ensure you get the best selection of produce and other local products.  One of the many benefits of “farm to table” living is that foods are fresh and often picked the same day they are being sold at a market.  Although the early bird usually catches the worm, regardless of when you make it to the market, you can expect to find high-quality foods grown and raised locally!

The Grand Rapids Farmers Market is a great...

Feather Pond  is a hardworking family-owned and operated farm in Frazee.  Since 2008 they have been supplying local food systems with healthy, fresh “farm to table” produce.  Today, they have great options for purchasing their high-quality foods and hope that their western Minnesota neighbors will join in the locavore lifestyle! 

There is a long list of reasons that buying from small family farms is a better choice.  They include safety, quality, freshness, personal relationships and trust.  You...

The 2012 season at Excelsior Farmers' Market is gearing up to be a good one!  With an opening date of May 3rd, the Excelsior market has big things planned for their 18th season as a fantastic venue for finding all things locally grown.  After moving to a new location in 2011, this year the market is ready to utilize the additional space and add more vendors.  With new vendors come new delicious and nutritious foods straight from regional farms to your table!

Whether you are new to the slow food...

I recently read a great book about diets and optimum health, which are directly related. It’s amazing what can happen when people make simple changes to their diet, like cutting out refined sugars, processed foods or just eating more whole grains and fresh produce.  We can do something about quality of life, disease and premature death, the key is in changing our food system. You truly are what you eat and that is incredibly empowering!

An incredibly simple way to start changing your health and...

Residents and visitors alike will love the Farmers Market Annex in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  As the largest open air market in the region, the atmosphere and products offered at the Annex are both impressive. Operating Saturdays and Sunday during their April through October season, the Annex is a wonderful weekend adventure.  In addition to the amazing local products, you can also find entertainment, fun, and seasonal activities that the whole family will enjoy.

As you browse through the European...

The 2011 season of Eagan Market Fest was #1 for Minnesota farmers market and top 20 nationwide.  With numbers like that, they must be doing something right!  The award winning market is well-known in the community of Eagan.  It’s a place to shop, play, visit, relax and make important connections.  With over 60 vendors, concerts, theme nights, walking trails and more, your entire family will enjoy a trip to Eagan Market Fest.

The 2012 season of the Eagan Market will kick off on June 13th, 2012....

Some people need compelling reasons to shop local.  Although there are many of them, we have narrowed it down to a list of reasons that are relatable and pertinent to the average family living in the US.  Shop local because…..
 
1 – Tastes and Looks Better
2 – Is Healthier and Packed with Nutrients
3 – Builds Trust Between Farmer and Consumer
4 – Preserves Open Space and Farmland
5 – Builds Community
6 – Keeps Taxes Down
7 – Benefits the Environment and Wildlife
8 – Makes a Lighter Carbon...

As a society, we benefit from farmers markets in a number of ways, some are obvious like supporting the local economy and buying healthy foods and others like the cultural benefits, don’t seem to pop out right away. I know without a doubt that our society and culture benefit greatly from farmers markets. We haven’t just lost our connection to our food and our land, but we have also lost our connection to one another.   As we all move through life “disconnected”, markets present a perfect...

If you aren’t already part of the localvore culture, I would bet you have heard talk about buying local and making sustainable food choices.  The food movement has really gained momentum in recent years, with more people learning about the advantages of these fresh, healthy foods.  The best way to check out what everyone is talking about is to visit a market near you.

You may not realize how many markets actually exist across our country, many of them right in your own region.  If you already...