Farmers Market

farmers market St. LouisFarmer’s Markets in St Louis continue to increase in popularity as more consumers embrace the benefits of eating locally sourced food.  Indeed, it can be extremely rewarding to actually meet with and purchase directly from the local farmer that produced that food. Research has shown that eating organically grown food is good for because it is healthy as well as delicious. In fact, many local St Louis restaurants pride themselves on purchasing a large portion of their ingredients directly from local Missouri farms and farmer’s markets.

Food at Your Local St Louis Farmers’ Market

These days, buying local has become all the rage. It seems that society has finally come to its senses what with the rise of cancer cases in relation to food intake and the growing research on the benefits of consuming organic food. That said, here are some of the benefits of buying food at your local farmers’ market in the St Louis area:

It tastes better. Yes, you read it right. Why? Food from your local St Louis farmers’ market is going to taste better because it is fresher and natural. Unlike produce or other food products that have been flown in or shipped from other countries or states, food from a local Missouri farm is likely to be freshly harvested and sitting in a container for only maybe a day or two. In fact, studies show that the average distance travelled by food from farm to table is 1,500 miles. During that time, the food loses a significant amount of its vitality and
nutrients.

Farmers Markets in St Louis

Farmers Markets in St. Louis  Phone
 Alton Farmers Market  636-532-7684
 Arnold Farmers Market  636-282-2380
 Belleville Farmers Market  618-235-9500
 Carondelet Farmers Market  Closed
 City Greens Market  314-833-3811
 Clayton Farmers Market  Closed
 Chandler Hills Farmers Market  636-798-2675
 Cherokee Farmers Market
 Creve Coeur Farmers Market
 Crystal City Farmers Market  636-937-3019
 Eckert’s St. Louis Farm Market  314-722-3988
 Ferguson Farmers Market  314-324-4298
 Fresh Thyme  314-858-7000
 Lake St. Louis Farmers Market  636-695-2626
 Midtown Farmers Market  314-913-6632
 North City Farmers Market  314-241-5031
 Overland Farmers Market  314-769-6360
 Seeds of Hope Farm  314-566-8643
 Soulard Farmers Market  314-622-4180
 St Charles Lions Club Farmers Market  636-723-2412
 Thies Farm & Greenhouses 314-428-9878
 Tower Grove Farmers Market
 Webster Groves Farmers Market  314-479-1572
 Wildwood Farmers Market  636-686-0005
 Wentzville Farmers Market

It’s healthier. Research has proven time and again that the longer food waits to be eaten, the more nutrients it loses in the process. That said, food that is naturally grown and eaten almost immediately after harvest is bursting with nutrients that are necessary for optimum health. Canned, frozen, and preservative-filled food simply does not offer these benefits. Food from your local St Louis farmers’ market does.

It’s GMO-free. One of the scariest facts about food that doesn’t come from the local farmers’ market is that you can’t be too certain about what exactly is in it. Genetically modified foods have received such a bad rap left and right that it’s probably best to stay away from them and to stick to organic, natural options instead.

It is beneficial to the environment. The environment and wildlife benefit so much when you choose to buy local. How so? First, you significantly lessen your carbon footprint as there is a lesser distance involved to get your food from the farm to your plate. This means less carbon emissions in the environment, meaning you can make an ecological impact even with your food choices. Secondly, as the environment is preserved, this makes for a safer and cleaner habitat for wildlife in the area. All in all, this contributes to a greener and more sustainable world.

It supports St Louis local businesses. Believe it or not, you can change lives through your choice of where to purchase your weekly groceries. The rate of unemployment has never been so high in St Louis and you can make your mark in increasing jobs by supporting local businesses in your farmer’s market. Make your contribution to the economy by making a conscious effort to support local businesses wherever you can. This means choosing commodities that you know are produced by people who live in the greater St Louis area and Eastern Missouri. You never know how many lives you can affect with your choice.

Incredible Benefits Of Joining A Local St. Louis Food Co Op or CSA

Who doesn’t want to eat? Of course, everyone loves food, that is why the food business continues to grow in so much popularity and is perceived to thrive in the future. However, more and more people are becoming even more particular with the food they eat. Many are opting for healthier, natural food options on the market. These days, everyone seems to want to eat better, so the idea of organic and local food appears to be a common option.

In various parts of the country, food sources may need to travel long distances before they reach your table. So, how could you get your food closer to your home and enjoy fresher food without paying hefty cash? One of the best options to consider is joining a local food co-op.

What is a CSA?: The National Cooperative Business Association stated that food co-ops deliver high quality groceries at best values to their members. Food cooperatives are voluntary, non-profit organizations formed for the mutual financial benefits of the members and are controlled and owned by their customers. They may specialize in organic, locally grown and natural foods and can operate in purchasing large supermarkets, retail stores or clubs.

St. Louis Grocery Markets – Stores  Phone  Attributes  Location
  Dierberg’s  636-532-8884  Grocery Store  Chesterfield
  Eckert’s Country Store  800-745-0513  Grocery Store  Belleville
  Field’s Foods  314-241-3276  Grocery Store  Midtown
 Golden Grocer  314-367-0405  Organic Grocery  Central West End
 Jay International Foods  314-772-2552  International Foods  South Grand
 Kenrick’s Meats & Catering   314-631-2440  Grocery & Butcher Shop  Affton
 Local Harvest  314-772-8815  Grocery Market  Tower Grove
 McArthur’s Bakery & Deli   Various Locations   Deli Goods & Bakery  Various Locations
 Missouri Mercantile  314-323-2051  Local Missouri Products  St Charles
 Parker’s Table  314-645-2050  Gourmet Grocery  Dogtown
 Schnuck’s  314-994-4400  Grocery Market  West County
 Straub’s  314-361-6646  Gourmet Grocer  Central West End
 The Fresh Market  314-692-8471  Creve Coeur  West County

The Perks of Joining a St. Louis CSA or Food Co Op

Joining a local food co-op has been an attractive option for an increasing number of people due to its incredible benefits. Some of which include the following:

Open Membership. Membership to co-op is open to all individuals who are able to use the services and willing to accept all the roles of membership. Depending on the organization, there are some restrictions on various basis, including gender, race, religion or associated with other protected class.

Community Oriented. If you want to get involved and become a volunteer or give back to the community, joining co-op will help you achieve that. If you have always wanted to reach out to people but did not know how, food cooperatives can give you the opportunity to do so. It will allow you to directly work with your neighbors.

Focus on High Quality Local Food. Although every food co-op is different, boards and members often seek out organic, local, premium quality foods, as well as dry goods that may be limited, or not at all available at traditional stores or supermarkets. Food cooperatives may also have established close relationships with suppliers and producers that deliver high quality food items and products.

Commitments to Enrichment and Education. A lot of local food cooperatives devote resources and significant time to community development, outreach activities and educational programming. Some food co-ops even sponsor non-profit organizations such as shelters, food banks, clinics and more.

Tax Considerations. The Small Business Administration revealed that US-based co-ops are designated as pass-through organizations and are not subject to any federal business taxes. However, it is important to note that they are liable for any personal taxes on surpluses or profits obtained.

Whether you are thinking of joining food co-ops or you’re already a member, it is important to take note of these amazing benefits of joining the cooperative.

Healthy and Wise Grocery Shopping Tips

1.  Never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach.
2.  If you are selecting canned fruits or tuna, select the items that are packed in water, not oil or syrup.
3.  Search labels for terms such as “hydrogenated or “partially hydrogenated”.  The earlier you see these terms appear in the ingredient list, the higher the amount of unhealthy transfats in the food.
4.  Don’t by turkey with the skin on it.
5. If you are selecting frozen type dinner meals, make sure that they are low in fat, sodium and cholesterol.
6. If you feel like you aren’t getting enough calcium in your diet, consider an orange juice that is calcium fortified.
7. When selecting breads, cereals, and rolls, whole grain is the way to go.
8.  Consider cantaloupe.  Half of a melon will surpass who body’s requirements for both Vitamin C and Beta Carotene.  And it’s only 95 calories.
9.  Many local St Louis food markets offer a wide variety of treats that are low in fat such as pretzels, angel food cake, and ginger snaps.