Westrom: Support Your Local Farmers’ Markets

The Minnesota State Fair marks the closing of summer, harvest festivals, and fresh fall produce found at your local farmers market. We are privileged to be able to enjoy and have easy access to what is grown or produced right here in our state. Regional farmers markets are becoming more and more popular as a growing number of people are looking to buy their fruits and vegetables locally and organically.

Farmers markets allow customers to pick produce at the peak of flavor and preserve the freshness and nutritional value. Some also supply items such as soaps, maple syrup, honey, flowers, teas, breads and meats. There is no limit as to what our farmers will provide us with. The markets also stimulate the local economy by providing family farmers with a larger share of each dollar spent.

You can truly help our local and state economy by buying Minnesota grown. Farmers markets are located throughout Wilkin, Grant, Traverse, Big Stone, Stevens, Douglas, Pope and Stearns counties and you can find out more in the Minnesota Grown directory issued annually by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. You can get a free copy by calling (651) 201-6000 or by visiting http://www.minnesotagrown.com. The site also has valuable information that includes current news and events, along with what is in season.