Arranging fresh cut flowers in a vase, biting into a juicy peach, chopping brightly colored vegetables for a salad; these are just a few activities which scream “fresh!” Urban living has many perks but access to high quality, locally grown fruits and vegetables has not always been the first one that comes to mind. Farm to City (FTC) is looking to change that. FTC operates eleven farmers’ markets in the greater Philadelphia region. The tradition of such outdoor markers dates back centuries. The benefits are mutual: consumers gain access to produce, and family farms, a dying breed, earn much needed capital. The US Census Bureau reports that we have lost 4.7 million small farms since 1935. Even the smallest effort, to curb this tide by supporting the farmers who are left, can help.

Being able to interact with the people who grow the food means shoppers can ask questions about its origin. Were pesticides used? Is it genetically modified? Those questions can’t be asked at Pathmark or Superfresh. According to the Homegrown Worldwatch Institute, Food travels between 1500 and 2500 miles from farms, or 7-14 days in transit. The fruits and vegetables in the supermarket are chosen for their ability to withstand harsh transportation, not for taste or nutritional value. Wouldn’t it be more enjoyable to take a bite out of an apple picked hours ago, not weeks?

There is a real sense of community involved in farmers’ markets. Residents and workers in the Rittenhouse area know the square is an ideal meeting place and people watching spot. Now, they can add food shopping to that list. Every Tuesday from 10 am to 1 pm through October and every Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm through November, Farm to City sponsors a market along Walnut Street between 18th and 19th Streets. Pumpkinridge Creations of Quarryville, PA and Beechwood Orchards, a five-generation farm from Biglerville, PA are just two of the area organizations represented.

On a recent Saturday afternoon, shoppers had their pick of herbs, sunflowers, lilies, zinnias, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, plums, peaches, apricots, zucchini, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, corn, peas, and potatoes. Whew! It’s enough to make anyone hungry. On Saturdays, the Rittenhouse market also offers meat, poultry and dairy products from pasture-fed animals. These are animals who were allowed to eat grass, their naturally occurring diet. They have higher omega-3 fatty acids, (the good fats), and less cholesterol than their corn fed counterparts. Just another way buying local helps your health.