Advantages to shopping at local farmers markets

COVID-19 has canceled a lot of things this summer — but not the Morgantown Farmers Market.

This perennial landmark of the warm months blossomed again on May 2 but only for pre-order and pickup. At the beginning of June, however, the market opened for in-person shopping. Now the Farmers Market on Spruce Street allows up to 100 people to come in at a time, with masks and social distancing. Pre-order and pick up are still available for people who want fresh produce but would rather not wander around the stalls.

But for those who prefer to peruse in person, the open-air venue allows morning breezes to meander between stalls and ruffle your hair as you chat with friendly and knowledgeable vendors.

There are some definite advantages to shopping at a farmers market. The first is that you’re shopping local. According to their page on the Convention and Visitors’ Bureau website, all products sold at the market are grown or produced within 50 miles of Morgantown. That means the products are fresher, and your purchase supports family farms in our region. Money spent with local businesses tends to stay and circulate through the local economy, so you’ll be giving our area an economic boost.

Did we mention the products are super fresh? In general, produce sold at local markets is less likely to have been treated with pesticides and more likely to have been grown organically. And if you’re not sure the product you’re looking at is organic, the vendors will answer your questions. But it’s not just fruits and veggies for sale at the market. Morgantown Farmers Market boasts a variety of fresh baked goods, both sweet and savory, as well and locally made honey, meat products and fresh flowers, herbs and spices. You can drool over pictures of the baked goods on the Morgantown Farmers Market Facebook page.

The Morgantown Farmer’s Market website also emphatically says “Yes!” you can bring your dog. They only ask that you check their “pooch policy,” keep your canine on a short leash and clean up any doggy messes. Can’t do that at a grocery store, can you?

Communities love local markets, and the Morgantown Farmers Market loves our community back. If you shop at the market using SNAP benefits, you will be given double the tokens to use on fresh produce. Swipe your SNAP card at the info booth, and you’ll receive up to an additional $20 in tokens to buy fresh food. According to the Morgantown Farmers Market Facebook page, all vendors selling SNAP-eligible items accept the SNAP tokens.

The market is open 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For the modern shopper who doesn’t carry cash, the info booth can help you exchange credit/debit for market tokens that are good to use at every booth and never expire.

Get up a little early tomorrow, don your mask and go support local farms and businesses.