Good Nutrition From Farmer's Markets

Good Nutrition From Farmer’s Markets. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Line On Agriculture.

The farmers’ market season is heating up here in the northwest. Most farmer’s markets have been up and running and providing fresh, locally-grown and nutritious food that will last well into the fall months. Laura Barton of the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

BARTON:  If you just walk onto any farmers’ market site, the whole marketplace is a big playground of nutrition. It offers, of course, fruits and vegetables which are just packed full of nutrition, both in terms of vitamins and fiber, and all those wonderful things.

A recent national survey shows an overwhelming majority of American consumers are very careful to select foods that achieve balanced nutrition. Many Oregon farmers’ markets will be participating in a couple of special programs that provide money to buy healthy foods.

BARTON:  What those programs do is allow low income, nutritionally-needy families and elderly citizens of Oregon to take the dollars they get to shop at a farmers’ market or a farm stand to buy locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.

Barton says the farm direct nutrition programs not only benefit the consumer in need, but is a good thing for the grower.

BARTON: Many farmers are just so delighted to participate in the program because it makes them feel really good that these shoppers are able to buy their product and know that they are really needed.

That’s today’s Line On Agriculture. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.