Farmer’s markets are great spots to help you source locally for food, and if you shop at one — besides buying from and supporting a local farmer — you are helping the environment.
Local can mean different things to different people, depending on where people live, how long their growing season is, and what products they are searching for. Practically speaking, local food production can be thought of in concentric circles that start with growing food at home. Secondly, it includes food that might be grown in the immediate community, either at the regional or national level. For some parts of the year or for some products that thrive in the local climate, it may be possible to buy closer to home. At other times, or for less common products, an expanded reach may be required.
So how does buying local benefit the environment? First, local foods are produced as close to home as possible. Purchasing from local growers supports a more sustainable food system by going beyond the methods used in food production to include every step that brings food from farm to table. Sustainable agriculture incorporates growing methods that are healthy, including reduction of pesticide use, and balances demand based on local needs, involving less environmentally harmful equipment and practices. The most important factor is that growing locally reduces impacts on the environment by decreasing transportation needs.
Small, local farms are run by farmers who live on their land and are dedicated in preserving it. They protect open spaces by keeping land in agricultural use and preserve natural habitats by maintaining forest and wetlands. By being good tenants of the land, seeking out local markets, minimizing packaging, and harvesting food only in season, farmers can significantly reduce their environmental impact. Studies show that sustainable agricultural practices can actually increase food production by up to 80% while at the same time actively reducing the effects of farming on climate change through carbon sequestration.
Find your local farmer’s market:
City | Location | Open | Day | Hours |
Andover | 13655 Round Lake Boulevard | 3-May | Tuesday | 2pm-6pm |
Apple Valley | 7100 W 147th Street | 11-Jun | Saturday | 8am-1pm |
Blaine | St. Timothy’s 85th and Hwy 65 | 7-May | Saturday | 7am-12pm |
Bloomington | 1800 W Old Shakopee Road | 11-Jun | Saturday | 8am-1pm |
Brooklyn Park | 8717 Zan Ave – Zane Sports Park | 22-Jun | Wednesday | 2pm-6pm |
Buffalo | 206 Central Ave | 7-May | Saturday | 8am-12pm |
Burnsville | 200 Brunsville Parkway | 18-Jun | Saturday | 8am-1pm |
Chaska | City Square Park | 1-Jun | Wednesday | 3pm-6pm |
Chisago City | 10656 Railroad Ave | 20-May | Friday | 2pm-6:30pm |
Eagan | 1501 Central Parkway | 1-Jun | Wednesday | 4pm-8pm |
Edina | 7499 France Ave S | 16-Jun | Thursday | 3pm-7pm |
Elk River | 720 Main Street NW | 2-Jun | Thursday | 2pm-6pm |
Excelsior | Water Street Downtown Excelsior | 3-May | Tuesday | 2pm-6pm |
Fulton | 4901 Chowen Ave S | 21-May | Saturday | 8:30am-1pm |
Golden Valley | 7800 Goldeb Valley Road | 19-Jun | Sunday | 9am-1pm |
Hopkins | 9th Ave | 18-Jun | Saturday | 7:30am-12pm |
Inver Grove Heights | 8055 Barbara Ave E | 19-Jun | Sunday | 8am-1pm |
Kingfield | 4310 Nicollet Ave S | 22-May | Sunday | 8:30am-1pm |
Lakeville | 208th & Holyoke | 15-Jun | Wednesday | 12pm-5pm |
Maple Grove | 12951 Weaver Lake Road | 9-Jun | Thursday | 3pm-7pm |
Maplewood | 1850 White Bear Ave | 11-May | Wednesday | 8am-12pm |
Midtown | 2225 East Lake Street | 7-May | Saturday | 8am-1pm |
Midtown | 2225 East Lake Street | 10-May | Tuesday | 3pm-7pm (in June) |
Mill City | 704 S 2nd Street | 7-May | Saturday | 8am-1pm |
Minneapolis | 312 East Lyndale Ave | 16-Apr | Daily | 6am-1pm |
Minnetonka | 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard | 28-Jun | Tuesday | 3pm-7pm |
New Hope | 8701 36th Ave N | 18-Jun | Saturday | 8am-1pm |
Nokomis | 5167 Chicago Ave S | 15-Jun | Wednesday | 4pm-8pm |
North Minneapolis | 718 West Broadway Ave | 17-Jun | Friday | 3pm-7pm |
Northeast Minneapolis | 629 2nd Street NE | 21-May | Saturday | 9am-1pm |
Osseo | Central Ave & 5th St NE | 12-Jul | Tuesday | 3pm-7pm |
Plymouth | 15000 Cty Rd 6 | 22-Jun | Wednesday | 2:30pm-6:30pm |
Richfield | 64th Street & Portland Ave S | 21-May | Saturday | 7am-12pm |
Rogers | 12724 Main Street | 8-Jun | Wednesday | 3pm-6:30pm |
Rosemount | 13885 S Robert Trail | 14-Jun | Tuesday | 1pm-5pm |
Roseville | 2131 Fairview Ave N | 3-May | Tuesday | 8am-12pm |
Savage | Quentin & Hwy 13 | 5-Jun | Sunday | 8am-1pm |
Shoreview | 4580 Victoria St N | 14-Jun | Tuesday | 3pm-7pm |
South St. Paul | 1151 Southview Boulevard | 29-Jun | Wednesday | 2pm-6pm |
St. Paul | 290 E 5th St | 30-Apr | Saturday | 6am-1pm |
St. Paul | 290 E 5th St | 1-May | Sunday | 8am-1pm |
Stillwater | Third and Pine | 11-Jun | Saturday | 7:30am-12pm |
Waconia | 101 East Main Street | 9-Jun | Saturday | 4pm-7:30pm |
Wayzata | 301 Promenade Ave | 12-May | Thursday | 2pm-6pm |
West St. Paul | 1201 S Robert Street | 17-Jun | Friday | 8am-12pm |
White Bear Lake | Downtown White Bear Lake | 24-Jun | Friday | 8am-12pm |
Woodbury | 2175 Radio Drive | 12-Jun | Sunday | 8am-1pm |
Times and days subject to change.
The post Why Farmers Markets Are Better For the Environment (and Where to Find Your Twin Cities Market) appeared first on EnerChange.
This post first appeared on Energy Conservation & Management Tips, Energy Reba, please read the originial post: here