Why I Buy Local…Root’s Market And More
A guest post by (my wife) Susan Geoghan - July 23, 2009
When Tuesdays dawn with rainy weather, I inwardly groan…but anxiously scan the skies and weather reports looking for an hour when my kids and I might scuttle the two miles to Root’s Market and back.
As much as possible, I try to feed my family and cook with fresh foods. We are on an ever-improving journey toward the highest quality food to optimize our health and quality of life, and buying at Root’s is a key component of the journey for us. For the past five years, our family has purchased local produce, dairy, and meat from vendors at the 84-year-old farmers market (the name Root’s is pronounced to rhyme with foots) located just north of East Petersburg along Rte. 72.
Although dozens of vendors are located inside long, interconnected (but not air-conditioned) buildings, several of our favorite produce stands are located outside. So why don’t we just dash over to the local supermarket on bad weather Tuesdays? Let me count the ways…!
Cost. The produce is cheaper because the middleman and high retail overhead are eliminated, and some of the vendors sell items purchased in volume at county produce auctions. I would estimate that the same amount of fresh eggs, greens, vegetables and fruits, dairy, peanut butter, and meats that I purchase at Root’s would cost at least 50% more money at a grocery store. As one example, I buy 3-4 cucumbers at Root’s for $1-$1.25; the same 3-4 cukes in a grocery store would be purchased by the pound for a total of $2 or more.
Local Impact. Every dollar spent at Root’s helps to support local PA agriculture and ensure that markets like Root’s will continue to thrive and provide choices in our future food supply.
Fresh. A succession of seasonal foods are all available in one place. Spring spinach and greens, rhubarb and asparagus give way to summer berries and melons, peaches and cherries, green beans and eggplant, tomatoes and squash, blending into fall apples and broccoli, squash and pumpkins, and much more. All vendors will explain when asked where their produce was grown, so I can choose to buy from local and other Pennsylvania county farmers as my conscience and budget permit. It’s hard to beat the taste of succulent sweet corn picked the same day or free-range, organic eggs laid the day before just a few miles away!
Convenience. We live in East Petersburg and can be at Root’s in about 8 minutes. Also, Roots Market vendors offer much more than produce & meat: books, handmade gifts, toys and most household items all sold by small local sellers.
These are just a few of the immediate benefits for our family that make shopping at a local farm market a satisfying experience.
I’d like to encourage anyone who hasn’t tried shopping at Root’s (or your own local farm market) to give it a try. Here are a few tips to make your shopping trip worthwhile:
-Have a list. It’s easy to get more than you will be able to use in one week.
-Bring cash. Most vendors accept cash only. And set a limit so you’re not tempted to buy donuts instead of strawberries.
-Pull a wheeled cart. This helps if you are purchasing many or heavy items (like watermelon)—there are no grocery carts at Root’s and even a couple of bags get heavy after a few minutes.
-Use recyclable grocery bags. Most stands give plastic bags, but you can have them put food into your bags.
-Ask questions. You may learn about the source and preparation of the foods you buy by talking to the clerks.
-Make friends. Get to know at least one vendor by name. You will feel good and so will he or she.
-Be adventurous. Vow to buy and try a fruit or vegetable you’ve passed over before.
-Allow adequate time. Give yourself time to park and walk inside, to browse and compare prices, to eat a bite from a ready-to-eat food vendor, and to leave the Root’s Market complex. On balmy days it can be quite crowded.
-Consider the time of day. During the noon and after school/after work hours, the crowds are heaviest. On the other hand, the crowds are thinnest during the last hour of the day--and prices are often reduced for quick sales. By then, however, the selection is limited and likely to be well-picked over.
-Have fun. Make food shopping an experience instead of a chore!
At the end of the day, it’s a good feeling to open your refrigerator and see it full of fresh produce that is flavorful and grown locally. I’d encourage you to take a trip to Roots Market or your own local farm market and taste the difference fresh makes – rain or shine.
Click here of for more info on Lancaster Buy Fresh Buy Local's 21-day challenge.
1. Dine out less and cook out more with the neighbors to cut entertainment costs
Lancaster newspapers featured a front-page article today by Ad Crable on the "greening" of Lancaster City. The article was quite lengthy and offered some of the best press coverage to date of several excellent local initiiatives:
