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It’s that time of year again. Time when local produce is ready and waiting for you to enjoy. And there are no excuses not too – there are plenty of area farmers markets where you can buy local fruits and veggies.
You can check out listings on the following sites: www.dem.ri.gov/programs and go to agriculture/topics/farmers markets or www.farmfresh.org to find a market near you.
New farmers markets have recently started on Fridays at the Cross Mills Public Library and Saturdays at the Richmond Town Hall. The Saturday Farmers Markets at URI and in Westerly have been going strong for years. There are also markets at Mariner Park in South Kingstown on Tuesdays, Casey Farm on Saturdays, and Goddard Park on Fridays. Farmers markets crisscross the state and many are also held in urban areas, including new ones in Pawtucket, Woonsocket, and the Broad Street area.
With sky rocketing gas prices, coupled with the desire of the environmentally conscious to reduce their carbon imprint, buying local makes a lot of sense. There is little if any shipping involved, therefore the product is that much fresher.
You can also feel good about supporting a local business rather than a food conglomerate in California or some other far-flung state.
Supporting local farmers just makes sense and helps preserve those aesthically, pleasing areas of open space. The number of farms in Rhode Island has dropped drastically over the last three decades. The numbers of dairy farms alone have dropped from 100 in 1977 to 18 currently. And that’s just dairy farms.
Need something to do this weekend? Go out and buy some fresh, local produce at a farmers market near you. You can feel good about the freshness, supporting local businesses, helping preserve open space, getting out in the fresh air, and eating healthy.
Sounds like a win/win.
Your local farmers, the environment – and your taste buds – will thank you.
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