CBS Reports:Farmers Markets, Growing Like…

In the past year, Farmers Markets have increased 16%, with about 850 new ones opening across the country. CBS Sunday Morning also reports that the increase in markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) is keeping family farms viable:

“For decades we’ve been hearing about the death of the family farm, but consider this: Farmers markets and other forms of selling straight to customers are helping to keep farmers in business.
Third generation Maine farmer John Snell makes twice as much money selling at this Portland market as he would selling wholesale to middlemen.

Now, this next piece of information may come as a shock:

Snell says a farmer with 1,000 acres or soybeans and corn in rotation do NOT make more money per acre. “No, no. Their gross, per acre is significantly less, which is why they’re farming 1,000, 2,000 acres, where we’re probably farming for vegetables, maybe, 25.”

Markets and CSAs are in full swing as summer ends. Not only do they offer the very best food, they are a great place to connect with your local community.  Visit our local food page to learn more.