August 24th, 2011 
Shopping at a farmers' market (Photo Credit: Rachel Rabold)
When it comes to work life, social life, and all the things that make up the (too few) hours in the day, sometimes it’s easy to avoid buying fresh produce. Today there are more options than ever to have fresh, local produce at every meal. Adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet will give you much more energy to do the things that make you great!
Here are two simple steps to work some vitamins into your busy schedule:
Check out a farmers’ market:
Saturday and Sunday mornings are prime time for buying delicious, seasonal produce at one of the many Annapolis Farmers’ Markets. The largest in our area, Anne Arundel County Farmers’ Market, has selections from over a dozen different Maryland farms in addition to sellers of baked goods, fresh flowers, homemade jams, and garden supplies from local businesses. You will find a wide selection of in-season produce for low prices ($2.00 for a cantaloupe!).
If you’re not sure where to start, ask the farmers about the produce they have in their selection. Don’t be afraid to ask what a particular item is; there are many types of produce that you don’t normally see in stores (starburst squash, for example!). Ask them how they normally cook it and which seasonings they use. You will get lots of great ideas that way, eliminating the “what do I do with all this now that it’s in my kitchen?” moment. Also, check out www.allrecipes.com for recipe ideas too!
Photo Credit: Rachel Rabold
Shop online:
Yes, you can even order local food online. One great website for Annapolitans is Maryland Table because you pick up your online order right on Commerce Drive, across from the mall. This is how it works: you place your order online by 12:00 noon on a Monday, then during the week your order is picked or prepared during the week from local farms. Five to seven days later, you pick up your customized order. Talk about convenient! They offer seasonal produce, free-range chickens, farm-fresh cheeses, grass-fed beef and much more.
Everything Maryland Table offers is sustainable, supporting local farmers only. According to www.sustainabletable.org, sustainable agriculture involves food production methods that are healthy, do not harm the environment, respect workers, are humane to animals, provide fair wages to farmers, and support farming communities. Not only are you doing something great for yourself, but you are also supporting local the economy! It’s a win-win scenario.
For a complete list of all Maryland Farmers’ Markets, click here.
WHEN: Saturdays, April-December, from 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Anne Arundel County Farmers’ Market
Riva Rd. and Harry S. Truman Pkwy
Annapolis, MD 21401
Ph. 410-349-0317
wow what an interesting articel, let’s hear more from Rachel.