Nature's Bounty

Your Letters By Your Letters The Post-Standard
on September 26, 2009 at 5:00 AM


0927center.JPGBRYANT BROWN, Rhasheim Rutledge and Jade Freeman set out produce last month at the Urban Delights Youth Farmstand at the downtown Syracuse farmers marketFarmers markets save energy, help the region’s economy

To the Editor:

 Thank you for including a list of CNY farmers markets in Wednesday’s Post-Standard. However, you failed to mention why farmers markets are so important.

 Food sold at farmers markets has likely traveled a small distance from where it was grown, as opposed to bananas shipped from Honduras, or mangos grown in India. This imported food uses many resources, like gas, packing materials and shipping costs. Since many local farmers do not have these overhead charges, they are able to sell fresh products at a lower price. The money paid at farmers markets supports locally owned farms, in turn, and stimulates the local economy.

 Supermarkets sell many products that come from factory farms, operations where profit is the main concern. Many of these “farms” use cheap pesticides and fertilizers that harm the earth, and are dangerous to humans. Local, small-scale establishments are more likely to grow quality organic crops that don’t contain harmful chemicals.

 If you are buying meat, it is even more important to purchase local products. Many large-scale meat corporations use slaughterhouses to mass produce their chicken cutlets or steaks. Most slaughterhouses use cruel and unsanitary methods to “process” their animals. Meat sold at farmers markets is more likely to be cruelty and disease free, since many small farmers personally raise their stock and employ more humane methods.

 This is not to say that every factory farm is evil and inhumane, or that all small local farms are perfect. In general, though, products sold at farmers markets are fresh, healthy and relatively inexpensive. They support local farms, and the environment. What better way to “go green” and “save green” at the same time?

Emily Powers