Farmers markets nourish communities
At a glance
- Farmers markets are a great way to get nutritious foods into your family’s diet
- To get the most out of your visit, make a list and be smart about your budget
- WIC and SNAP participants can use their benefits at participating farmers markets
Spring and summer are knocking on doorsteps across the Pacific Northwest, which means farmers market season is getting into full swing. From bouquets bursting with color, to a rainbow of fresh fruits and veggies, to handcrafted products, farmers markets provide an opportunity for our community to interact directly with farmers and craftspeople.
Maybe a morning at the farmers market is already part of your family’s weekly tradition, or perhaps you’re just beginning to make regular visits to the market part of your routine. Either way, you can make the most of your visit and stretch your budget by following a few tips.
Shopping fresh, healthy options
Brittany Thorpe, a registered dietitian with the MultiCare Rockwood Clinic Weight-Loss Surgery Center, sees farmers markets as a great way to make high-quality, nutritious foods a part of your family’s diet.
“When produce is picked at peak ripeness, it has the highest nutrient content,” says Thorpe. “At a farmers market, you know the fruits and vegetables were picked that day or maybe a day or two before. When produce is fresh, it’s not only full of nutrients, but also tastes better.”
She also sees value in the variety of offerings — many markets, especially larger ones, also offer meat, dairy products and eggs. Having variety in food groups is key to a healthy diet, Thorpe says.
To make the most of your visit to your local farmers market, Thorpe recommends the following:
- Start with a list: When we think about meal planning and budget, it’s important to have a list to keep us on track. This helps ensure a balanced diet over the course of a week, and also helps cut down on impulse buys made while shopping, which can be particularly helpful when sticking to a budget.
- Prepare for substitutions: Part of shopping the season means working some flexibility into your list. Maybe you planned on having broccoli as a side dish this week but find the green beans look better or are less expensive. Having an idea of appropriate substitutions ahead of time will help you adapt to the freshest seasonal offerings.
- Try new things: Farmers markets offer a wealth of variety you often don’t find at a conventional grocery store. If you’re open to broadening your palette and trying new things, you can discover new flavors and take advantage at the peak of their growing seasons.
- Supplement where needed: Pick and choose where to stretch your budget and where to save. Prioritize fresh items that offer the highest nutritional content, then supplement with less expensive frozen or other items from a traditional store as needed.
- Make the healthiest choices for your family: Wondering if you should shop organic? While there are environmental benefits to purchasing certified organic, cost can be a big deterrent, especially when inflation has already stretched grocery budgets for many. If your family is choosing between eating a diet rich in nonorganic produce or limiting to only a few organic options, keep this in mind: The benefits of adding more produce at a lower price point likely provides the most overall benefit for your diet.
Making markets more accessible for all
Farmers markets offer more than a shopping opportunity — they are also a chance for the community to gather and celebrate the farmers and artisans who contribute to our local economy.
“Being able to engage with the makers and understand what it takes to make something, including the food you put into your body, is a great opportunity for the market providers,” says Jodi Stroh, director of the Puyallup Farmers’ Market.
That’s why MultiCare and supplemental food programs have teamed up with local markets to help make these community spaces more accessible to all.
The WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) issues eligible WIC participants FMNP benefits in addition to their regular WIC benefits. WIC clients can also use their regular fruit and vegetable allowance at participating farmers markets.
“It’s a great benefit for everyone,” says Lanay Baty, a supervisor for MultiCare’s WIC services. “WIC clients have increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables, local farmers get increased revenue, and everyone is brought together with the sense of community that farmers markets provide.”
Clients enrolled in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can also use their benefits at many local markets, and a program through Washington allows matching funds up to $25. Essentially, WIC and SNAP participants can get more funds by spending their allocations at their participating local markets.
At the Puyallup Farmers’ Market, held on Saturdays from mid-April through mid-October, giving everyone access to the bountiful benefits of a farmers market is a top priority, says Stroh. The market has partnered with MultiCare to offer EBT clients additional benefits that bring more farm-fresh produce into homes — a grant from the Community Partnership Fund provides an additional $5 match, helping make dollars for healthy foods go further.
“Our farmers market is about community,” Stroh says. “The Saturday market is a great opportunity for a family to get out and have a great experience together.”
Many local markets participate in supplemental benefit matching programs.
Find a local farmers market:
What's next
- Find a farmers market near you
- Learn about the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program
- Learn about SNAP farmers market benefits
