The key ingredient to staying healthy is eating fresh fruits and vegetables. San Diego’s mild climate provides year-round opportunities to buy fresh produce at the many farmer’s markets offered around town. Also, with more than 6,000 small farms in San Diego, the most in any other county in the nation, you’re guaranteed to find a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables you like. When you buy local, you support the farmers in your community and the local economy by contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
Along with being able to buy fresh produce and close to the harvest date which provides the most nutritional value, farmer’s markets provide other benefits too. The vendors have a better understanding of the products they are selling and can assist you with new recipes and ideas that will keep you and your family coming back for more. The casual encounters you enjoy at your neighborhood farmer’s market helps build relationships and community cohesiveness. Farmer’s markets keep your community unique. It’s where we shop, where we eat and how we have fun – all of it makes our community home.
Some fruits and vegetables that are available throughout the year are avocados which are rich in potassium and healthy fats, beets which are loaded with betalains, a pigment in beets and a phytonutrient which is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Others are broccoli which is a good source of Vitamin K, Vitamin C and chromium, along with phytonutrients that have cancer fighting effects, carrots which are high in the antioxidant beta-carotene, and many others like cauliflower, celery, fresh herbs, guavas, lemons, limes, and strawberries, which all are a good source of vitamins, mineral, fiber and antioxidants.
There are many fruits and vegetables that are seasonal like blackberries, boysenberries, peaches, raspberries, and sweet corn harvested during summer which are all high in antioxidants and phytonutrients. Artichoke, asparagus, rhubarb, and snap peas can be enjoyed during February and March and are packed with folate, Vitamin K, fiber, antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Another option to visiting a farmer’s market is to locate a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) which provides weekly deliveries of produce from local farmers to either a specified place for pick up or a direct delivery to your home. Visit the San Diego Community-Supported-Agriculture to learn more.
Shopping at a farmer’s market and eating locally grown food is a win-win situation because it supports your community and supports your health.
Visit San Diego Farm Bureau to obtain a list of the times and locations of the farmer’s markets near you.
By: Vincent Alvarez, RDN, NSCA-CPT