Say 'yes' to farmer's markets
The Moses Lake Farmer's Market just opened this month at McCosh Park and is ready for business again this Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In Ephrata, the market is set for this Saturday, from 8 a.m. to noon, at Sun Basin Plaza on Basin Street, in downtown Ephrata.
The weekend events bring together a variety of farmers, food processors and crafters offering their products.
For those of you not familiar with the produce-rich Columbia Basin, the farmer's markets sell locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables in the outdoors.
Visiting the markets is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about farming in our area, select produce from an array of seasonal fruits and vegetables, and eat a healthier diet.
Consider yourself fortunate to live in an area where produce is affordable and readily available. In Chicago, city officials are providing more opportunities for residents to eat fresh produce by opening five new farmers markets this summer, according to a Chicago Tribune article.
The additional markets in Chicago are intended to provide residents in poor communities access to healthier food options, the article states.
In some communities, access to healthy foods is a severe problem. Some cities even lack enough conveniently located supermarkets, according to the National Housing Institute.
A study done by the Center for Food and Justice at the Urban and Environmental Policy Institute shows that middle and upper income Los Angeles County communities have twice as many supermarkets per capita as low-income communities.
When many states were studied, researchers learned wealthy neighborhoods have more than three times as many supermarkets as low-income neighborhoods, according to the Center for Food and Justice's study.
It is important because more supermarkets meant more fruits and vegetables were eaten, the study states. Other options were fast-food or corner stores.
At the Moses Lake Farmer's Market, options are plentiful. Seasonal items for May include parsley, herbs, garlic, asparagus, rhubarb, dried cherries, cider, walnuts, low gap hydroponic tomatoes, onions and apples. Fresh pies and breads are available in May as well.
In Ephrata, area growers offer nuts, vegetables, cherries, strawberries, baked goods, eggs, blueberries, raspberries, honey, flowers and organically grown produce.
On Saturdays, the Moses Lake Farmer's Market hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., through Oct. 27. Starting Wednesday, July 11, the market is open on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Ephrata Farmer's Market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, from May through October. We encourage you to say "yes" to farmer's markets, by supporting the growers and businesses in communities throughout the Columbia Basin.
It is one way to spend your money locally, meet members of your community, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and learn more about the farming economy of the Columbia Basin.
For more information, visit www.ephratafarmersmarket.org or www.moseslakefarmersmarket.org.
- Editorial board