Eugene's Saturday Market opens up April 6th, and we are SO excited. I know the winter market has been open, but it's quite a bit smaller and the weather isn't as fun as spring... The Saturday Market offers a wide variety of products and the most amazing food vendors. It's nice to spend the morning there with yourself or with friends shopping and walking around! There is such an inviting atmosphere and I just think it's super cool that people within the same community can come together in one place to connect!
With that being said, farmers markets are not only a fun time shopping outdoors during spring and summer, it is also great for the environment. When your food comes from nearby, it means that it doesn't take as much energy or gas to transport it. It can effectively reduce the amount of pollution in the air that big food corporations produce. So the local market has a lot of benefits not only for the people, but for the environment as well.
Some great reasons to shop local are...
1. To Support Local Businesses
It’s incredible to be able to purchase from people in your own town or close by. They work hard to keep their business as successful as they are and it’s a great feeling to know that we are doing all we can to help. On top of that, it's reassuring to know that the money you spend stays within your community.
2. For The Fresh Produce
There's not much else better than cooking or baking with fresh ingredients. It can be hard to tell at a regular supermarket which produce company treats their crops how you would like. This problem is easily eliminated at your local market. The people in charge of their booth are very knowledgable about their product and can inform you of really anything you want to know about their company. It’s comforting to know that all of these ingredients come straight from their farm. You know it’s fresh, grown locally, and treated with care.
3. For The Awesome People You Meet
The amount of people that go to the farmers market / run a booth there is unbelievable! You have the opportunity to interact with shoppers who share the same love of fresh produce and good company as you - I have had some pretty cool conversations with people I meet at markets. The people running the booths are also a great opportunity to learn about all of the unique local businesses that I didn't even know existed.
4. For The Opportunity to Connect With Other Businesses
On top of meeting others similar to you, you get to meet with local business women and men, as well. It's a great time to make to connections with them! The market provides so many different unique vendors that can resonate with you. Since they are local, they are probably more willing to work with another local person.
5. For The Quality Time Spent By Yourself Or With Friends
Lastly, but certainly not least, this is us-time! Going alone to farmers markets gives you so much peace just walking from booth to booth and enjoying all of the beauty that's around you. It's time for you to think about anything and brainstorm about everything.
And if you are with friends…well, the more the merrier! I so much enjoy hanging out with my best friends at the farmers market. You get to bond over the cute décor, beautiful flowers, yummy food, unique produce, and so much more. It's time that is so precious to me and I am grateful for every day!
All in all - go shop at your local farmers market and be an awesome person. There are so many rad reasons to shop there! Happy (almost) Eugene Saturday Market opening day! I hope to see many of you there.
Yours truly,