Celebrate fresh produce at local farmers markets

The first week in August has been designated by the Secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture as National Farmers Market week. Come celebrate the goodness of your local Farmers Markets by shopping and meeting your neighbors, growers and customers at your favorite place to shop for fresh, seasonal, great tasting produce, olive oil, honey, fresh eggs and flowers.

A little while back the Nevada Appeal asked the question, "Do you shop at Farmers Markets?" There were 49 percent that said yes, which is way above the national average of 5 percent.

Why do we all like the markets so much? It's more than the seasonal ripe tomato or sweet ear of corn for sure. Why do foodies and chefs and anyone looking for fresh local produce look forward to their weekly visit to the Farmers Market? And on the other side of the booth, why would someone travel to the market every week at ungodly hours after days of harvesting, cleaning and sorting to sell their valued produce? It's the whole Farmers Market experience and you just can't get it in a grocery store.

It's fun to run into someone you know or who lives down the street and shares your interest in buying fresh local produce from the person who grows it. You see the same vendors and customers at the market every week. Offering that kind of community connection is addicting.

Locally grown fruit and vegetable are usually sold within 24 hours of harvest. Produce from across the country can't be that fresh, and it doesn't taste as good. Fresh food also is more nutritionally complete.

At the height of the season, now is a great time to experience any and all of your Nevada Certified Farmers Markets.

• Linda Marrone has been a Carson City resident since 1973 and together with her husband, Ralph, formerly operated Marrone's Restaurant in Carson City and Somethin's Cookin' Catering.