Buying nutritious foods is just one way you can nurture your bod, and you can find fresh, delicious healthy foods right in your own backyard. Shopping at your local farmers’ market is a great way to find in-season heart-healthy foods that are good for your health, your tastebuds, and your wallet.
1. Healthier for you
The American Heart Association recommends eating at least 4.5 cups a day of fruit and vegetables as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle. It’s easy to load up on fresh, nutritious food at the farmer’s market, because foods that are freshly picked are at their peak nutritional value. Buying in-season produce means you get the best nutrients.
2. Delicious taste
There is nothing quite like the taste of a fresh strawberry or an ear of corn, fresh from the farmer’s market. In-season produce that is freshly picked is the best-tasting produce you can find. The food offered at a farmer’s market is always in-season and often just picked that morning.
3. Try new foods
Local farmers’ markets usually have unique foods that aren’t offered at your local grocery store. Often, the local vendors will let you try a sample of their food to see if you like it. Adding variety into your diet is a great way to eat healthy and not get bored of the same foods.
4. More affordable
Some foods offered at farmers’ markets are more affordable than foods in the supermarket. Buying food that is in season is always the route to go for price and taste, and certain foods like herbs, artichokes, tomatoes, and in-season fruits, are often a fraction of the cost when you pick them up at a farmers’ market.
5. Support local economy and farmers
Shopping at farmers’ markets help support your local economy and local farmers. Often the same farmers who are selling you peaches are the ones who picked them from the tree.
Our Favorite Local Farmers’ Markets
San Jose Farmers’ Markets
1. Campbell Farmers’ Market
A year-round farmers’ market where you will find anything that is in season! This affordable farmers’ market has an extensive selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. It happens every Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm, rain or shine. Check the website for more details.
Open every Saturday morning, the Sunnyvale Farmers’ Market has an array of vendors and plenty of options to sample as you stroll. They offer a variety of heart-healthy produce options as well as a selection of handmade pasta, breads, and pasteurized eggs. With plenty of parking in a great location, this is a fun market to explore.
3. Downtown San Jose Farmers’ Market
Vendors from all over Northern California bring their produce and goodies to the San Pedro Market corridor every Friday morning from May to November. This is a smaller market that is packed with goodies and has live music.
Walnut Creek Farmers’ Markets
1. Concord Farmers’ Market
Stroll through the Concord Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The market is situated in a park setting, making it family-friendly and a great location. Vendors include tons of fresh produce options, food vendors, face painting, and even live music.
Stroll through East Bay on Saturday mornings and enjoy this medium-sized farmers’ market with a plethora of vendors and a diverse crowd. Sample fresh produce, enjoy live music, and take some delicious produce home with you.
3. Walnut Creek Farmers’ Market
Plenty of organic produce and quality products offered at the Walnut Creek Farmers’ Market which runs year-round, every Sunday. You’ll find a blend of fresh produce alongside artisan meats and cheeses. Local vendors rotate weekly so there’s always something new to try!
Grab some friends and visit one of these local farmers’ markets today!
