Yes it's local, but how was it grown?

One of the benefits of buying fresh local food from a farmers market is you have the opportunity to find out exact what’s in, or on any product you purchase . Farmers markets’ put you face to face with a farmer or producer, and give you an opportunity to ask questions about how your food was grown or prepared. It can be intimidating to ask your farmer about their growing practices if you don’t know what to ask. The questions on the side are a good starting point for engaging in a conversation with your farmer.

​Some questions to ask
​at a Farmers Market:

• What are your growing practices?
• How do you raise and feed your animals?
• What do you do about pests and weeds?
• How do you care for your soil? From where do you source seeds?
• If your market allows carrying or reselling goods from another farm, ask the farmer if they grew everything in their booth and when it was harvested
• Who are your role models or is there a farm after which you fashion your practices?

We at the Carbondale Community Farmers Market require that our farmers tell us about their growing practices in the application to sell at the market. We also ask that farmers display a provided sign stating whether their products are are certified organic, sustainably produced, or conventional produced. These labels, however, are not comprehensive and it's still important to talk with your farmer!
​
Certified Organic: This farm is has been certified organic by the USDA. This involved rigorous farm inspections that ensures fruit & vegetable crops were grown with NO Chemical Fertilizers, Pesticides, or Herbicides. Animals were raised under humane conditions and are free of antibiotics and growth hormones. No GMO seeds or animal feed were used.  Foods were prepared using certified organic ingredients.
 
Sustainably Produced: Fruit & vegetable crops were grown with NO Chemical Fertilizers, Pesticides, or Herbicides. Animals were raised under humane conditions and are free of antibiotics and growth hormones. No GMO seeds or animal feed were used. Foods were prepared using certified organic and sustainable produced ingredients.
 
Conventionally Produced: Fruit & Vegetable crops may have been grown with the use of Chemical Fertilizers, Pesticides, or Herbicides. GMO seeds or animal feed may have been used. Prepared foods feature conventionally produced ingredients.
​