Much has been written about the cost of food on all fronts. That it will cost more as the price of oil goes up. That is is artificially low in this country thanks to subsidies, and that food grown without chemical fertilizers or herbicides costs more because it is more labor intensive, or small scale, or both. In the August/September issue of Mother Earth News there is a short article in the Green Gazette column with a headline "Choose Local Food and Save!" It cites research - several studies - that show that at least some, if not all items are less costly at farmers' markets. They are also likely much fresher and more nutritious. And because the money goes directly to the grower, they are helping boost the local economy as well. Rather than growers selling mass quantities of produce in bulk and getting a small percentage of the retail price, selling at a local market allows them to get more fully compensated for the risk, the work and the results.
As consumers we can choose to pay a lower retail price (and possibly a higher one in terms of our nutrition and health) or a higher price (and improve our nutrition and health). As they say, you get what you pay for.
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