If the green movement was all the rage in the 1990s and 2000s, then local is the new green. The local foods movement is sweeping the United States. Farmers markets, which allow consumers to directly interact with the producers growing and raising their foods, are leading the trend. Farmers markets offer an experience that groceries are not able to provide; customers can stroll past tents and shop for locally raised, fresh produce and meats.

Consumers have an opportunity to get information on merchandise directly from the producer should a question about a food's ingredients or genesis arise. In short, farmers markets offer a socially stimulating and interactive shopping experience.

"Farmers markets give us the opportunity to meet new people and expand our community circle with people from all walks of life," says Sal Lopinto of the Lafayette based slow foods non-profit Acadiana Food Circle. "[People] who share a common vision of growing a healthy future with more awareness, knowledge sharing, and enjoyment of what we're building together."



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