Is Your Local Farmer's Market Truly "Green?"

Farmer's markets are a great way to buy fresh produce, support your local economy and eat healthy at the same time. However, there have been concerns over the fraudulent activity taking place at many farmer's markets across the United States. MSNBC recently did an investigative report into farmers passing off their produce as locally grown when they were really shipping it in from Mexico or using non-organic techniques to grow it. This, and other scammy practices can really shed a bad light on farmer's markets and may make some people reconsider shopping at these local food fests. Instead of giving up on farmer's markets, be a vigilant and educated consumers at these places, and you may help put a stop to some of the fraud going on, while still supporting honest local business'.

In Season?
Watch for sellers constantly selling items that simply aren't in season for your part of the country. Or, spot the items that aren't even grown in your part of the world! New York farmer's market with bananas? Ah, no. Some unscrupulous sellers will buy produce shipped in from Mexico or other parts of the world at wholesale prices, then attempt to sell it as "organic" or "local" at farmer's markets. Spotting food that is obviously out of season, or that doesn't even grow in your local region is a pretty good giveaway. It's surprising that anyone would be brazen enough to try this scam, but some "farmers" really do! MSNBS actually went and visited some of the local "farms" that claimed to sell locally grown produce, only to find that these farms hadn't been used in quite a while, or that they didn't even grow what they sold! The more adventurous may ask to visit their local farmer's farm to see what is being grown for themselves.

Background Research!
Take some time to look up the true licensing, location, history and more on different farmer's you buy from. If supporting local business' is so important, surely being and educated consumer is also important. Are they truly certified organic? When was the last time their farm was inspected? Do they really use "no pesticides?" These questions and more can often be answered with a few phone calls and internet research at various organizations. Be sure to contact the people running your local farmer's market and find out what criteria they require of farmers to advertise themselves as "organic" or "local." You might even be surprised to find some farms are just a subsidiary of a large cooperation in the region, and not a small, local farm. If you find problems in how you farmer's market handles different vendors, speak up! Check out this swell list of suggestions from the LA Times on helping making farmer's markets more legit. Do your research!

Talk to the Sellers
Take the time to get to know your local sellers. It's worth it. Developing a relationship with them and figuring out the honest ones from the dishonest ones is really important. The majority of them are probably honest, it's the few bad apples that spoil it for the rest. Find out about their growing practices and how they operate, where they are located, etc. I've taken tours of some local farms and it's always a educational experience. Happy shopping!