Farmer's market, better to buy from local farmers or does it matter?

[burritos]

Living in southern cali, there are 2 farmers' markets that I go to regularly on the weekends. Both markets have 1 non local farmer(both small farmers and unrelated) that sell terrific organic fruit. Better than all the other farmers. However, one is from temecula 150mi away, and the other is from fresno 200 mi away, neither exactly local. They've been coming to the farmers' market for years and I don't think they're leaving. I'd like to support the local farmers but I just don't eat that much food, so I buy the best product.

[Salsawonder]

I just bought some of the best Heirloom Tomatoes from our La Mesa FM and they were absolutely incredible. I also support Petrou olive oils and cheese. Bread and Cie make an appearance and save me a trip to PB. I love our little Friday night FM. The products are still fresher than the stores.
Most people these days use a variety of options like Trader Joes and local markets in combination with the big chain places. It is whatever fits your life style.

[Rae Vynn]

I used to live near Temecula! I learned to drive on the back roads that wind through the hills there

I think 150 miles is still much better than buying "organic" produce that comes from another country.

[burritos]

Originally Posted by Rae Vynn

I used to live near Temecula! I learned to drive on the back roads that wind through the hills there

I think 150 miles is still much better than buying "organic" produce that comes from another country.

I do too. But is there a difference(environmentally) between buying from someone who traveled that many miles or from a local farmer even though they both sell at the same farmer's market?

[icarus]

Better is a very subjective question.

For example, is there more net carbon in an apple shipped 1000 miles across the country in a semi or train car load vs a 100# driven 25 miles to the local farmers mkt in a 3/4 ton Pick up?

But "better" also has to take into account the local aspect of the local orchardist and his impact on the local economy. In most case, I think local is better regardless of the carbon foot print. If nothing else, it encourages local/organic farming at allows folks to make some sort of living doing it.

Icarus

[F8L]

Originally Posted by icarus

Better is a very subjective question.

For example, is there more net carbon in an apple shipped 1000 miles across the country in a semi or train car load vs a 100# driven 25 miles to the local farmers mkt in a 3/4 ton Pick up?

But "better" also has to take into account the local aspect of the local orchardist and his impact on the local economy. In most case, I think local is better regardless of the carbon foot print. If nothing else, it encourages local/organic farming at allows folks to make some sort of living doing it.

Icarus

Agreed and it also keeps that land in agriculture and not development!

[JamesBurke]

I've known this guy for almost 20 years now, which I find hard to believe.
itchy green thumb 8.09 THINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCO
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www.lamontanita.org

[hill]

Originally Posted by Rae Vynn

I used to live near Temecula! I learned to drive on the back roads that wind through the hills there

I think 150 miles is still much better than buying "organic" produce that comes from another country.

A bunch of friends / neighbors in Kalispell have their own apple, cherry orchards wheat farms etc ... but they're not organic. Ironically ... in the heart of south O.C.- CA we have an organic farm a couple miles down the road in Irvine. I'm so confused.

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