Local Farmers’ Markets
It is National Farmers’ Market Week and New Hampshire farmers’ markets are in full swing!
Whether you’re looking for produce, meats, jams and jellies, eggs, baked goods, soaps, honey, or homemade crafts, your local farmers’ market is a great way to support the farmers in your community.
Here are 5 reasons to visit your local farmers’ market:
1. Fresh Produce
There’s nothing better than produce at its peak freshness. When you shop at a farmers’ market, you’re buying items harvested within 24–48 hours, compared to up to 10 days prior at a typical supermarket.
2. Support Sustainable Farming
Buying local means supporting your farmers and their sustainable practices – things like crop rotation, biodiversity, minimizing water consumption, composting, and reducing pesticide use.
3. Reduce Your Environmental Impact
The shorter supply chain behind local produce and meats means a smaller carbon footprint. Local goods typically travel less than 50 miles to reach you, compared to over 1,500 miles for supermarket food – cutting emissions by roughly 90%. Farmers’ markets also tend to use minimal packaging, favoring paper bags and reusable containers over plastic.
4. Strengthen the Community
Farmers’ markets bring together local growers, bakers, and artisans to sell fresh produce and homemade goods directly to the community. According to a study by the American Farm Bureau, 72% of consumers know “nothing” or “very little” about farming or ranching – a farmers’ market is a chance to close that gap by talking directly with the people who grow your food. You can enjoy live music from local bands and connect with your neighbors along the way. And the dollars go further, too: for every $100 spent at a farmers’ market, $62 stays in the local economy, compared to just $25 spent at a chain store.
5. A Better Shopping Experience
Trade the bright fluorescent lights of the grocery store for the open air and lively atmosphere of a farmers’ market – it’s simply a more enjoyable way to shop.
How can you do more?
If you want to take your support a step further than shopping at the farmers’ market, consider joining a local CSA. With a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), you pre-purchase a farm share and receive a weekly box of fresh, in-season produce throughout the growing season. Some CSAs even let you work on the farm in exchange for part of the cost of your share.
The closest CSA to East Hill Farm is Dog Days Farm in Fitzwilliam, NH. Find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dogdaysfarmnh and stop by on your way home to pick up fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, and other local products!
All photos courtesy of Dog Days Farm.
Here are five farmers markets within 30 minutes or less driving distance from East Hill Farm!
Fitzwilliam Farmers Market
1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
On the town common
https://www.fitznhcommunity.org/farmers-market
Rindge Farmers’ Market
Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
West Rindge Common Park Rte. 202N, Rindge, NH
https://www.facebook.com/rindgefarmersmarket/
Peterborough NH Farmers’ Market
Wednesday 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
32 Elm Street, Peterborough, NH
https://www.facebook.com/PeterboroughNHFarmersMarket
Jaffrey Community Farmer’s Market
Fridays 3:00 -6:00 p.m.
7 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588915710243
The Farmers’ Market of Keene
Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
https://www.keenefarmersmarket.com
Gilbo Ave., Keene, NH