It is nearing summertime, when your home will be full of fresh strawberries, cherries, lima beans, nectarines, watermelon and summer squash. You just went to a local farmers market, where all of the produce is seasonal and grown by the people who sell it to you, for cash only. 

Except for people who look down on farmers markets. They could eat grocery store produce for their entire life, and not care.

Their excuses? Farmers markets are too expensive, you can get the same thing five minutes away at your convenience, organic is not a real thing, and it doesn’t matter where it comes from.

But they are believing myths.

Myth #1: Farmers markets are always overpriced and more expensive than a grocery store.

It is possible to get four large cucumbers for $1 before. before whatYou can spend almost $20 and get all of your fruits and veggies for the week, as well as a $8 giant jar of honey from this area. (That $8 jar of honey included in the $20, and great for treating seasonal allergies!)

So, Myth #1 debunked.

Truth be told, you do need to be careful. Some produce is overpriced, so you need to be mindful of that. Also, other booths may offer a different price on the same produce three booths down. So explore a little. You tend to find the vendors you like anyways. But you should know, the items that tend to be overpriced are… berries. (Sad, but true) 

Myth #2: Farmers markets are inconvenient.

They are scheduled at the same time, in the same location, week after week, month after month.You can drive 10 more minutes to get fresh produce that is cheap, then go to the generic grocery store down the road. There are over 10 in this surrounding area, so there is no excuses.

Myth #3: Organic produce is not real.

Actually, it is. These vendors spend thousands of dollars to get their produce labeled USDA Organic. It must go through rigorous, expensive testing. And no, organic does not always cost more, but it is better for you. Less pesticides and other chemicals on your produce means a healthier and happier you. That is not to say that you shouldn’t wash your produce, but you can rest easy knowing that your produce has not absorbed chemicals that are known carcinogens.

Myth #4: It does not matter where it comes from.

Yes, it does. Not only are you supporting your local farmers, but you are in turn supporting your local economy. Not to mention, you should know where your food comes from. Even if you do not grow it yourself, you should be conscious of what you are ingesting. Plus, the food will taste better since it has been picked at the peak of freshness, and it will not lose as many nutrients as other produce since it did not have to make a long trip to get to your table– this is why you can just smell fresh strawberries from a local grower in your car.

If you have never been to a local farmers market, you should stop by and see for yourself what you have been missing out on. Check out times and locations here: http://www.california-grown.com/Market-times.html