Sep 2, 2008 11:09 pm US/Eastern
3 On Your Side: Local Produce
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Peaches, green beans and tomatoes, all produce that tastes better when it's fresh.
But where you buy it, can make a big difference in just how fresh. 3 On Your Side's Jim Donovan shows you why checking out your local farmer's market can be good for your health and your wallet.
Business is brisk at Good Harvest Farms in Wayne. Customers love buying fruits and vegetables here rather than the supermarket.
"It's great produce and I know it's fresh," said Karen Petrauskas.
"This was picked just this morning," Jackie Pinckney added.
Manager Jim Herr says customers really appreciate that the produce comes right off the farm and straight to the market.
"It doesn't sit on the shelf as long and often times people come in and buy produce today and it was picked yesterday," Herr said.
Farmer's markets are in more places than you think, Camden County, Bucks County, even Philadelphia.
And these markets are usually stocked, especially with produce that's in season.
Right now, corn, tomatoes and melons are hot items and their prices are comparable to what you'd pay at the grocery store.
"In season, a lot of things are less expensive and often times we'll run specials," Herr said.
Five ears of sweet corn is $2, $1.79 a pound for farm fresh tomatoes and you can pick up two cantaloupes for $5.
Many of the fruits and vegetables you'll find at a grocery store are shipped in from other states, even other countries. That means they're older by the time you get them.
Buying at your local farmer's market means it's fresher, and it won't spoil as fast.
"The closer you can get it to the picking, the longer it'll last," Herr said.
Plus, if it lasts longer, you won't be wasting money by throwing away bad produce.
Need advice for a recipe or simply have a question? The staff is there to help.
"They have that knowledge that you just can't get in a grocery store," said customer Paula Kielich.
Another bonus to buying locally, the money is given to the local farmer and therefore he can keep farming.
Just because summer is coming to an end doesn't mean your local farmer's market is closing for the season. Many of them stay open into the fall, some are open year-round.
Related Links:http://philadelphia.about.com/od/foodshopping/a/farmers_markets_2.htmhttp://www.lancastercountyfarmersmarket.com/http://www.collingswoodmarket.com/http://haddonfieldfarmersmarket.org/http://www.greensgrow.org/http://www.traugers.com/
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