Farmer’s Markets vs Super Markets: the pennies add up!

Eating well is one of the most important decisions I make everyday but saving money while eating well has recently become a high priority. We’ve all heard that shopping farmer’s markets is a financially sustainable and environmentally sound decision. I’ve shopped farmer’s markets for years because I enjoy walking in the fresh open air in search of the juiciest grapes, sweetest strawberries, crispest leafy greens or freshest flowers. I truly believe I buy fresher fruits & vegetables for less money at Farmer’s Markets than I would in any conventional grocery store. The pennies simply add up in favor of the Farmer’s Market.

One of my co-workers challenged how much money I save shopping Farmer’s Markets. She positioned her trips to Super Markets produced lower fruits, vegetables and floral bills than any Farmer’s Market could. I emphatically disagreed thus, to validate my position I shopped both and the numbers spoke for themselves.

In addition to the cost savings the experience of shopping in a fresh open air market, supporting my local economy and interacting Dale, my local farmer, is priceless. I have a sense of ownership over my healthy and well being which extends to the soil which produced the carrots in my soup last night. Ownership = Pride and Acknowledgement. I am proud of the work Dale does for our community and I am happy he’s found a way to do it without compromising my wallet or our planet.

Farmer’s Market
1 lb Strawberries $1.98
1 lb Kale $1.99
2 lbs Bananas $.98
1 Avocado $.99
2 lbs Red grapes $3.98
1 Hot House Tomato $.99
1 lb Asparagus $1.99
Total = $12.90

Super Market
1 lb Strawberries $2.50
1 lb Kale $2.99
2 lbs Bananas $.78
1 Avocado $1.99
2 lbs Red grapes $3.58
1 Hot House Tomato $.79
1 lb Asparagus $1.39
Total = $14.02 + .84 tax = $14.86