Local farmers markets - food for a living community

Local farmers markets - food for a living community

Transporting food for thousands of miles leaves an enormous carbon footprint behind.

So, local food is the way to go. Buying locally produced fresh foods is not only good for the planet, but for your health as well.

There has been a resurgence in recent years in farmers markets and the national body, the Australian Farmer's Market Association states that, “Best practice farmer's markets are food markets where the stallholders are the farmers, their families or their staff. Resellers are not permitted.

The emphasis is placed on farm-direct and artisan-made food sales. Plants, seeds, flowers, worm farms, compost, fodder and small livestock like poultry are also included, but craft items are typically excluded.”

Whilst the AFMA website does not detail their stance on the use of pesticides or organic standards, their mission statement centres on 'community' and works to 'support and stimulate the profitable trading, viability and business growth of independent primary producers, hobby farmers, community and home gardeners, and associated artisan produce value-adders'.

This stance would lead to the conclusion that these markets support the smaller grower who would be more aligned with healthy gardening practices.

For a list of markets you can visit around Australia who are recognised by AFMA please visit the website here. http://www.farmersmarkets.org.au/markets

Buying locally produced food is great because:

  • the goods usually aren't packaged or packaging is greatly reduced
  • they didn't have to travel far
  • they haven't been in long term storage
  • they are less likely to decompose before they are consumed
  • they are fresher and simpler which means healthier for you

As well as supporting local growers, you'll find produce in season, fresh and at a comparable price to store bought goods. For ideas on how to increase the amount of living food in your diet, read this excellent book GUIDE TO DIET AND SALAD by Norman Walker.

In regard to finding and buying seasonal foods, Vitality 4 Life have a range of juice extractors with a whole range of supplementary uses from making fresh nut butters to pasta to frozen fruit ice cream. These multipurpose living food kitchen appliances can help you to utilise seasonal foods which you may find in bulk and at a good price.

Another option to maximise seasonal foods is with a food dehydrator. The process of dehydrating food has been around for thousands of years as removing moisture from foods was one of the only ways to preserve through the winter months.

Vitality 4 Life have models for the small home kitchen through to larger units suitable for market artisans. Dehydrated fruit is available readily at health food shops and markets but you'll find it cheaper to do this at home.

A dehydrator makes for an economical way to preserve fruits, vegetables, sprouted seed crackers, meat jerky and even dried flours, clay art and dough.

To view the different models, see our living food kitchen appliance section of our website.