{mp3}680news- farmersmkt- sept 11-2013{/mp3}

Farmers markets are a growing trend.  Over 50% of consumers when asked said it’s more important to buy local rather than organic.

• Farmers markets don’t always mean organic, wholesome and local. Farmer market fraud is rampant
• Check if the food is “certified organic.”  If the farmer says it’s too expensive to register organic, try another farmer
• Terms like chemical free, natural, organic methods and green washing all sound good but have no regulatory requirements
• All farmers do not sell local food.  Farm markets is where buyers resell their produce which they bought elsewhere.  The produce is not usually local.
• Look for a real farmers market.  Ask where the farm is located and if it’s a “producer only market”
• Watch for grocery stores that sell their own produce in their parking lots and call it a farmers market