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Farm-Fresh Produce and You!

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Farmers markets are an important link between local farms and communities. The markets allow consumers to have access to locally grown, farm-fresh produce and enable farmers to develop a personal relationship with their customers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services publish dietary guidelines for Americans every 5 years (2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines). The guidelines, which contain input from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, emphasize the importance of creating a healthy eating pattern that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein foods, and low-fat and fat-free dairy. Choose My Plate, a USDA consumer resource tool, also illustrates the five food groups. Consumers can purchase many of these foods at farmers markets.

According to the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., between 1960 and 2000, the number of famers markets nationwide grew from around 100 to more than 3,000. As of July 2019, this number has increased to approximately 8,756 farmers markets, according to USDA’s National Farmers Market Directory. – By Peggy Greb, ARS Office of Communications.

The Lancaster Central Market in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is the oldest continuously operated public farmers market in the United States (since 1730). Left: (Library of Congress, D4191-1) Right: (Elyse Pollak, D4192-1)

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Grape tomatoes and Red Russet/Yukon Gold potatoes for sale at the USDA Beltsville Farmers Market on Sunnyside Avenue in Beltsville, Maryland. (Peggy Greb, D3292-1)

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Pumpkins and winter squash are fan favorites around Halloween and Thanksgiving! (Peggy Greb, D3518-1)

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Raw green beans on sale at the USDA Beltsville Farmers Market. Eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet may reduce risk for heart disease, including heart attack and stroke, according to Choose My Plate. (Peggy Greb, D3288-1)

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A customer selects cucumbers from colorful produce at the Laurel Farmers Market on Main Street in Laurel, Maryland. (Peggy Greb, D4194-1)

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Plants and flowers, like these sunflowers at the USDA Beltsville Farmers Market, are sold at many farmers markets. (Peggy Greb, D3291-1)

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Peaches and prune plums—or Empress plums—distinguished by their oval rather than round shape, on sale at the USDA Beltsville Farmers Market. (Peggy Greb, D4190-1)

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A mother and daughter admire varieties of apples for sale at the year-round Main Street Farmers and Artists Market in Gaithersburg, Maryland. (Peggy Greb, D4196-1)

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Vegetables are important sources of many nutrients, including potassium, dietary fiber, folate (folic acid), vitamin A, and vitamin C. Here is fresh Swiss chard, with typical white, yellow, and red stalks. (Peggy Greb, D4193-1)

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Red radishes on sale at the USDA Beltsville Farmers Market. (Peggy Greb, D3444-2)

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Summer squash vary in color and shape! (Peggy Greb, D3280-3)

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A customer at the USDA Beltsville Farmers Market selects a quart of fresh blueberries. (Peggy Greb, D3279-1)

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Apples are a fall favorite with many consumers! Fiber-containing foods such as fruits and vegetables help provide a feeling of fullness with fewer calories. (Peggy Greb, D3589-32)

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A customer sniffs Thai basil held by a vendor at the USDA Beltsville Farmers Market. (Peggy Greb, D3323-1)

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Fruits provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body, including potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate (folic acid). Here are raspberries and blueberries. (Peggy Greb, D3278-1)

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Blackberries on sale at the USDA Beltsville Farmers Market. (Peggy Greb, D3290-1)

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A mother and daughter select caramel apples from a vendor at the Main Street Farmers and Artists Market in Gaithersburg, Maryland. (Peggy Greb, D4195-1)