Farmer’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.
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:
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 |
| Ferguson Farmers Market | |
| Lake St. Louis Farmers Market | 636-695-2626 |
| 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 Riverwalk 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 |
Food at Your Local St Louis Farmers’ Market
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 traveled by food from farm to table is 1,500 miles. During that time, the food loses a significant amount of its vitality and nutrients.
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 and many of these ingredients can be found at the best restaurants in St. Louis.
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.
| 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 |
| 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 |
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.
