Supporting local producers offers fresh benefits
Sean Comstock, posted April 18, 2007
Missouri is home to an abundant amount of farmer-owned-and-operated farms offering a fresh alternative to local consumers. By maintaining a local “food print” consumers shorten the chain of production, and, in turn, help the environment. Buying locally produced foods reduces energy that would be otherwise needed to transport, store and produce products.
Farmer’s markets and local businesses provide opportunities for farmers to distribute domestic and organically grown products within their community. MU Extension supports local farmers with information about production management and by connecting sellers with consumers in the community, ensuring producers a steady market.
“Every consumer has to think this through for themselves,” said rural sociology professor Mary Hendrickson. Hendrickson is associate director of the MU Extension Community Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture program, which assists farmers and consumers in many ways including the Food Circles Networking Program.
A local community market ensures money stays with the farmer, which then helps the local economy. “It is wonderful to get food that tastes great, and buying locally is a great opportunity to support friends’ and neighbors’ businesses in the community,” said Hendrickson.
The Boone County Farmer’s Market enforces mandates to ensure the quality of products sold meets Missouri Department of Agriculture standards. Vendors may only sell products they have grown, and any value-added products, such as baked goods, honey, eggs and cheese, must have materials produced by the seller. Livestock vendors must have owned the animal for at least half of its life before being slaughtered, and no animals from condemned or “for slaughter” herds are accepted.
“You just feel better when you know where your food is coming from,” said senior Tabitha Schnurbusch. “I always make a point to buy local, fresh foods. It helps your health and the environment.”
Owner and operator of Rainbow Produce, Rick Goodman, said the farmer’s market gives consumers in the community an opportunity to get fresh and organic foods and support local farmers. Goodman began farming in 1976 after buying property in Columbia, Mo., and still remains at the same location.
“I’d never grown so much as a radish, but I learned from other farmers and picked up things as I went,” said Goodman. “I still don’t claim to be anything special.”
Rainbow Produce sells homegrown produce at the Boone County Farmers Market and Clover’s Market, and distributes to the Main Squeeze and other local restaurants. Goodman also participates in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) supplying consumers with produce throughout the season.
“Homegrown produce is better for their health, and better for their community. Farmers put money back into the local economy and it helps maintain the balance,” said Goodman.
The Boone County Farmer’s Market is currently open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon through Nov. 3 and will be open Mondays and Wednesdays 4 to 6 p.m. May 3 through Sept. 27.
Columbia offers a wide variety of businesses selling organic and locally produced foods. Natural foods café Main Squeeze promotes local growers such as Terra Bella Farm, Sandhill Farm, located in northeast Missouri, and Bonne Femme Vegetable Farm in Columbia. Owners of Bonne Femme, Mike and Yasuyo Knoll, operate from a one-hundred-year-old farmhouse on 30 acres of land. They sell naturally grown produce, eggs, broiler-chickens, turkey and beef.
“You know farmers are capturing better prices, and the money is staying with the producer,” said Sandy Rikoon, professor of rural sociology. “It comes fresh off the field, and you know where it comes from. Eat good, do well is our motto here.”
