Local Farmers Markets

For a somewhat contrarian view, most Americans who shop at these places may claim to want authenticity and variety, but probably ignore the authenticity and variety of what local farmers grow. How many buy radishes, turnips, and cabbage from nearby farms, let alone stinging nettles, fiddlehead ferns, or less common plants that grow nearby (I'm writing in New York City, not sure what grows near you)? The U.S. used to grow thousands of varieties of cabbage. Most Americans probably eat two or

That's import+export for you. It's not all local produce.

Nutrition available =/= nutrition consumed. If there was a large market for produce someone would seek to fill it...minimally with produce stands/farmers markets/etc.

Check if a farmer market is held near where you live. It may be seasonal, but it's still better than dull vegs around the year.

Depends where you live , there is no local farmer's market here, if we drive there the affordable part of the equation disappears. Some local grown things are available , like mushrooms and they seem to be in season all year. The best and freshest tomatoes have flown a minimum of 10 hours from where they happen to be in season. So , while I agree with your proper flow , the reality is you eat whatever is available near you nevermind where it comes from.

> none of us have local farmers anymoreThat's not true in most of the US outside of large cities. And even in large cities, there's probably a CSA organization.You'll pay more, of course, but the goods you get are much better.

You don't get it at the supermarket, that's for sure. But I can get it at my local farmers market. You may be able to too. I would argue that it's entirely feasible, but depends on priorities. Most people prioritize profits, convenience, and speed.

Don't you have markets in U.S where you can buy straight from farmers? It would be more convenient and helps locals. If you care about organic and fresh stuff.

A simple reason could be transportation cost/difficulties, especially for fresh foods like the ones you’ve described. Productive farmland isn’t ubiquitous. Outside of a spreadsheet, physical products certainly do not “materialize” from nothing.

Your accusatory comment assumes that the reader:* Lives in an area with a farmer's market in accessible range (i.e. they don't live in a food desert[1] like ~24 million Americans - and that's just any kinda real market)* Spends as much or less at the market as on a service like this, factoring in all externalities such as food waste, travel time and expense, and so on* Has the time to spend getting to the market and shopping* Has the cash on hand (many farmers markets