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A diet rich in a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables is important for cancer prevention, not to mention it’s trendy too.

An increasing number of farmers have been making their way to Philadelphia and its surrounding areas as a part of a nation-wide movement to buy local.

Did you know most of the fresh fruits and vegetables you purchase in your supermarket have already spent as many as seven to 14 days in transit? Once produce is picked, it stops receiving nutrients from the source plant, but it is still alive. Produce loses heat and moisture over time through a process called respiration, which is one way nutrients and flavor are lost.

Asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, and spinach have very high respiration rates and will lose moisture, flavor and nutrients quicker than an apple or onion, which have low respiration rates.

Spinach, for example loses up to 50 to 90 percent of its vitamin C content within 24 hours of being picked.

This is why local food is fresher and tastes better than food shipped long distances from other states or countries.

Should You Shop Local?

Although, farmer’s markets appear to be more expensive than supermarkets, food at local farmer’s markets may be more nutritious.

Most of the farmers’ markets accept Farmers' Market Nutrition Program paper vouchers, issued to seniors or WIC recipients. Farm to City, with its partner the Reading Terminal Market Corporation, has terminals that enable farmers to accept SNAP, debit, and credit cards, promoting fresh and local produce to everyone.

Buying local food keeps your dollars circulating in your community.

Shopping Local is a Fun Family Experience

Buy local because it’s fun for the whole family!

Shopping at farmer’s markets is a great way for kids to learn more about the fruits and vegetables on their plates. The farmers are knowledgeable and eager to share information with their customers.

Plus, many farmers sell homemade sausage, eggs, yogurt, cheese, jams, spreads, and baked goods in addition to fruits and vegetables.

To learn more visit www.buylocalpa.org and www.pasafarming.org

Farmers Markets in the Philadelphia Area

Clark Park Farmers Market
The Food Trust Farmers' Markets
43rd and Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Tel: 215-568-0830
Contact: The Food Trust
contact@thefoodtrust.org
http://www.thefoodtrust.org
Saturdays, 10 am- to 2pm

Cliveden Park Farmers Market
The Food Trust Farmers' Markets
Chew Avenue & Johnson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Tel: 215-568-0830
Contact: The Food Trust
contact@thefoodtrust.org
http://www.thefoodtrust.org
Wednesdays, 2 pm to 6 pm

Fairmount Farmers' Market
22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Tel: 215-568-0830
Contact: The Food Trust
contact@thefoodtrust.org
http://www.foodtrustmarkets.org/markets.html
Thursdays, 3 pm to 7 pm

Headhouse Farmers' Market
The Food Trust Farmers' Markets
2nd and Lombard Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Tel: 215-575-0444
Fax: 215-575-0466
contact@thefoodtrust.org
http://www.thefoodtrust.org/php/headhouse/
Sundays, 10 am to 2 pm

Overbrook Farms Farmers' Market
The Food Trust
Lancaster Avenue at City Avenue, (Overbrook Presbyterian Church), Philadelphia, PA 19103
Tel: 215-575-0444
Fax: 215-575-0466
contact@thefoodtrust.org
http://www.foodtrustmarkets.org/markets.html
Saturdays, 9 am to 1 pm

Farmers Markets in Southern New Jersey

Collingswood Farmers’ Market
Between Collings and Irvin Avenues, Collingswood
http://www.collingswoodmarket.com/
Saturdays, 8 am to Noon

Camden Community Farmers Market
http://www.camden-ahec.org/ahecservices/camdencommunityfarmersmarket.html

Our Lady of Lourdes Community Farmers Market
1600 Haddon Avenue
July 1 to October 28
Wednesdays, 2 pm to 5 pm

Camden Farmers Market
Walter Rand Transportation Center, Broadway
June 23 to October 27
Tuesdays, 10 am to 3 pm

Virtua Health Farmers Market
Atlantic & Mt. Ephriam Aves.
Thursdays 11 am to 3 pm
June 18 to October 29