USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack proclaimed August 2-8, 2015, National Farmers Market Week. Here in the Central Valley local farmers' markets are selling many delicious seasonal fruits and vegetables.  To celebrate the week, we visited The Market on Kern and Manchester Center Farmers' Market to ask shoppers why they shopped at local farmers' markets. What we found were affordable prices, a since of community and some of the best looking produce around.

UC CalFresh Educator Yolanda Lopez explores the variety of vegetables available at local markets. She was impressed with the affordable selection of high quality produce and spent some time talking with local families about why they shop at farmers' markets.

What brings families to the markets?

Yolanda was on a mission to find out. The answer? They came for a variety of reasons, from freshness to cost.

This shopper appreciates that WIC vouchers and Senior Discount coupons are accepted at farmers markets year round to help families eat healthy.

One frequent shopper at Manchester said she shopped at farmers' markets because fruits and vegetables are fresher then at the grocery store.

Ninety year old Hilano E. Rodriguez said he has been selling at farmers' markets for 30 years, including this market at Manchester Mall. Today Mr. Rodriguez had some help from Pedro Mancilla (right) who is cleaning cactus which sells very well at farmers' markets.

First time shoppers Francisco and his wife and two children said they shop at farmers' markets because everything looked very fresh.

An Abundance of Affordable Produce Available

How good do these summer veggies at Kern look? They are all organic and about $0.50 cents cheaper per pound than discount grocers offering similar organic options.

Many markets offer taste testing so you can try it before you buy it! The Market on Kern had many stone fruits to sample. They tasted very flavorful.

If you visit a local market, try something new. These cauliflower are available at the Market on Kern.

What a Great Week!

We weren't able to make it to all of the local markets in the Central Valley this week, but feel lucky to have so many nearby. We often refer our class participants to local markets to encourage them to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their meals and snacks. To locate a market near you, use this directory. 

For some of our favorite produce recipes, visit the USDA's What's Cooking website.