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| Lake Forest Farmer's Market every Wednesday |
1. Freshness and Quality: Produce and products at farmer's markets are often fresher and of higher quality than those found in supermarkets. Since the food is typically harvested shortly before the market, it retains more nutrients and flavor. Honestly though, I wasn't about to spend $14 on a dozen eggs. I almost splurged on $20 raw honey but then I remembered I just purchased some last week.
2. Support for Local Economy: Buying from local farmers and artisans helps support the local economy. Money spent at farmer's markets goes directly to the producers, helping them sustain their businesses and livelihoods.
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| Scorpion Farms |
3. Seasonal Eating: Farmer's markets encourage seasonal eating, which can be healthier and more environmentally friendly. Seasonal produce is often at its peak in terms of flavor and nutritional value.
4. Environmental Benefits: Local food travels shorter distances to reach the market, reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Not to mention, many local farmers use sustainable farming practices that are better for the environment.
5. Community Building: Farmer's markets provide a space for community interaction. They often become social hubs where people can meet, talk, and build relationships with farmers and other community members. I saw a lot of people walking their dogs, bringing their kids to try the samples from multiple booths, and families were picking up dinner. Hey, even I had to try the local best-selling tamale topped with a verde sauce. The tamale was moist, flavorful, and filled with Monterrey jack cheese.
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| "The Tamale Fiesta" offered a variety of fresh tamales hand-made daily. I need to go back and try the sweet pineapple or sweet corn tamales. |
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| I was torn between trying the Dura w/ Batata (baked potato stuffed with corn), or the burritos or tacos in the booth next door. |
6. Educational Opportunities: Many farmer's markets offer educational activities, such as cooking demonstrations, workshops, and talks about sustainable farming practices. This can help consumers learn more about where their food comes from and how to prepare it. Talking to the owners at "The Cheesecake Lab" was eye-opening and educational. I learned which desserts were best sellers and also got a good deal by buying more than one item.
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| I had to get banana pudding and the best-selling Biscoff Cheesecake. |
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| I love all things coffee so I got the Tiramisu and apple caramel cheesecakes. |
7. Variety and Uniqueness: Farmer's markets often offer a wider variety of products, including heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables, unique artisanal goods, and handmade crafts that you might not find in a regular store.
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| Blue Fish Bakery caught my attention with their handmade cookies. The owner was super friendly so I purchased a $6 gourmet cookie. |
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| Blue Fish Bakery offers salty 'n sweet sea-inspired treats, established in 2023. |
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| The Buried Treasure cookie was so good and had marshmallow baked into the center. |
8. Transparency and Trust: At farmer's markets, you can often speak directly with the people who grow or make the products. This transparency allows you to ask questions about farming practices, ingredients, and more, fostering a sense of trust. I ended up buying some handmade Peerless Soaps for my Eczema and was told which organic soaps were the best and what worked for others. Normally, I try to stay away from fragrances but the owners said their soap doesn't have harsh chemicals and their Eczema sufferers said it worked for them. We shall see if this soap helps.
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| I loved how the Island Zen soap smelled like Hawaii, Coconut Lime Verbena wasn't overpowering and Lavendar Cedar Sage smelled so relaxing. |
9. Health Benefits: Access to fresh, nutritious food can lead to healthier eating habits. Many people find that they eat more fruits and vegetables when they shop at farmer's markets. Since I bought fresh products that didn't contain preservatives found in many box stores, I was given tips on how to sustain my newly purchased organic soaps. I'm supposed to put the soaps in the little bag it came with and use that as my loofah. Store bought soaps retain their shape while these organic soaps need the bag to help stay in tact.
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| Peerlesssoap.com |
10. Cultural Experience: Farmer's markets often reflect the cultural diversity of a community. You can find unique foods and products that represent different cultural traditions and cuisines. I started to get carried away at the "Brothers Products" booth! I picked up Mediterranean products including, assorted baklava with nuts, grape leaves, pita chips, crazy mix, and a three-layer dip. It's cheaper to buy bundles so I went with a variety of my favorite things.
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| They say never go shopping while hungry. That was my happy mistake. |
Overall, shopping at local farmer's markets can be a fun experience that benefits your health, the environment, and the local community. Since moving to a new area, visiting Farmers Markets, discovering trails, and trying new food has become a new way to immerse myself within my new town. Makes me feel like I'm in a Hallmark movie since I'm a city girl moving to a place that feels like a "small town."
Pro-Tip: Make sure to bring cash although many vendors take Apple Pay, Paypal or Venmo.
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Do you enjoy farmer's markets? What are some favorite things you've picked up? Let me know in the comments. Tip:💡You can comment as a guest by selecting the "I'd rather post as a guest" check box.
Trip Resources
If you’re planning a road trip, here are some helpful sites that I use. Note, below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission for every booking, with no extra cost to you. Thanks so much, in advance!
Booking.com - Anytime we need a rental car, we use this site to find deals.
Expedia.com - I like to use this site to explore upcoming cruises that I'd like to take. I also refer to it to compare hotel prices, flights, and car rentals.
GetYourGuide.com - Book things to do, attractions, tours and discover new food.
VRBO.com - When we’re not staying in an AIRBNB, we’re in a VRBO rental. We use this option when we want to enjoy a full house with individual bedrooms, a kitchen, backyard and other amenities.
TripAdvisor.com - Anytime I want reputable reviews, tips, and overall advice about a vacation area, I leverage this site.
Viator.com - Looking for cool tours in your vacation area? This site has a number of options.
Hey, I'm Christy Scronce, a Filipina-American Los Angeles native and travel enthusiast. I love visiting new places and trying new food. Welcome to my adventure blog where I capture both State & National Park visits, family excursions, and road trips, while sharing my travel photos and recaps. My goal is to visit as many National Parks using my “America the Beautiful” annual pass. 
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