What To Buy at Farmers Markets

Farmers markets in the USA can be an excellent source of fresh, local produce and artisanal goods.

While each market has its own unique offerings, some items are commonly found across the country.

Fresh fruits and vegetables top the list, with seasonal offerings like apples, tomatoes, and leafy greens being staples.

Organic produce is also a significant draw, reflecting a growing consumer interest in sustainable farming practices.

Artisanal bread and pastries, often baked with locally sourced ingredients, are popular for their homemade quality and flavor.

Local honey and beeswax products showcase the importance of bees in agriculture and offer natural alternatives to processed sweeteners and candles.

Homemade soaps and cosmetics, free from harsh chemicals, are often chosen by eco-conscious consumers. 

Handcrafted cheeses, reflecting regional dairy farming traditions, provide a taste of the local terroir. Jams, jellies, and preserves made from local fruits are a sweet representation of the season's bounty.

Plant seedlings, including herbs and vegetable starts, allow market-goers to bring a piece of the market home to their gardens.

Prepared foods, which often use ingredients sourced from the market itself, offer convenience and a culinary exploration of local flavors.

These items not only represent the agricultural diversity of the United States but also the community spirit and the commitment to supporting local economies inherent in farmers markets.

Related Information

Where To Buy Locally Sourced Foods

Native Plants for Home Landscaping

Butterfly Weed

Residential landscaping can greatly improve a property or create a host of problems.

For homeowners, choosing plants for landscaping can be a daunting task.

In many cases, native plants can be good choices for home landscaping projects. Native plants often include trees, shrubs, herbs, wildflowers, grasses, and others.

Native plants have a number of advantages that make them good candidates for home landscaping projects.

Native plants usually require less maintenance than cultured plants. Most need little or no fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemical treatments.

Native plants provide habitat for insects, birds, and other wildlife. They are especially useful for pollinator gardens.

Some species produce berries and in fall their leaves display an array of colors.

Native plant species can be effective when implementing rain gardens. A variety of species can be planted together to stabilize areas where periodic water flows occur. 

When choosing native plants, several factors must be considered.

Sunlight is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing plants for a landscaping project.

Water is another consideration. In many areas, drought-resistance will be a major factor when choosing plants for landscaping.

Project costs are usually very important. Labor requirements can affect landscaping projects from start to finish.

Native plants can be found at local nurseries, farmers markets, and other sources. They are often available from local and regional non-government agencies such as environmental and conservation groups.

Related Information

Wild Blueberries

Vintage Food Posters - World War I

A major part of the World War I effort involved the production and distribution of motivational posters by a variety of U.S. Federal agencies.

This post showcases a sampling of food-related vintage posters from the WWI era. The posters shown here are only a fraction of the many that were produced.

"Sow the Seeds of Victory! Plant and raise your own vegetables. Write to the National War Garden Commission- Washington, D.C., for free books on gardening, canning, and drying. "Every Garden a Munition Plant"

"Liberty Sowing the Seeds of Victory. Write for Free Books to National War Garden Commission, Washington, D.C. Charles Lathrop Pack, President. P.S. Ridsdale, Secretary."

"Food is Ammunition- Don't Waste It"

"Save Sugar by Using Best Louisiana Molasses and Sugar Cane Syrup."

"Eat more corn, oats, and rye products- fish and poultry- fruits, vegetables, and potatoes, Baked, Broiled, and Boiled Foods. Eat less wheat, wheat sugar and fats to save for the army and our allies."

"Patriots Use Corn Meal. It Cannot Be Shipped. It is Splendid Eating. It is Cheaper Than Wheat Flour. It Saves Wheat. Free Recipes Inside. Get Yours. U.S. Food Administration- New York Federal Food Board."

In addition to being works of art, these vintage posters provide insights into culinary trends of the period. They also illustrate how the U.S. government used media to communicate with citizens during World War I.