Farmer’s Markets: A guide for the healthy student

One of the odd advantages of ultra-modern urban life is that fresh food from the rural hinterland is readily available. Farmer's markets are by no means a modern conception.

Merchants, not always the actual farmers, have been transporting farm produced goods to denser urban populations since the advent of the city.

Modern Americans have become complacent with trained, planed and auto-mobiled supermarket produce in from all corners of the earth. "Convenience" is what we call it in the "modern" world, but in reality, it has put us all out of touch with the seasons, the land we live on and the people within the region we share.

The recent reappearance of Farmer's Markets is part of the post-post-modern, sustainable, green etc. movement(s), which are great, but in actuality are just a return to the old ways. Knowing from what type of soil your food came and who grew it, is one of the few self-reliant healthful eating decisions we can make in the age of fast food.   

Students who don't have access to land for a garden, or the time to grow one, have the option of wandering down to one of the many Farmer's Markets in Colorado Springs and taking in that old time market feel.

Which brings me to Farmer's Market rule # 1 - don't get caught up in nostalgia. Old time culture is fun, but it is also sometimes overwhelming. Don't buy more food  than you need and stay away from trinkets, unless you really need some. Fresh produce has an expiration date, so plan to use it quickly  or freeze a finished recipe within a few days. In the summer months there are Farmer's Markets nearly every day, so go often and buy light.

Farmers Market rule #2 - make connections and return to the local and consistent vendors. Not all merchants are directly connected with farms. Look for Colorado license plates and farm vehicles, not rental trucks. Many merchants simply buy in bulk from out-of-state suppliers and charge Farmer's Market prices for the grocery store's rejects.

Which brings me to rule #3 - Farmer's Markets really are more expensive than supermarkets. This is not to say that there are not deals to be had for seasonal produce, but in general you get what you pay for and steeper prices guarantee high quality, regional produce sold directly from the producer.

Rule #4 - eat what is in season. A simple Internet search can provide the necessary information  or you can just look around and see what every merchant is selling.

Rule #5 - buy from specific farm venders. Find a farm vendor that you like and give them return business. These relationships are where modern food culture comes from.