This week is all about what's good for you and what's good for the earth. After all, we did just celebrate Earth Day! If you haven't heard yet, there's a great movement across the nation to buy and eat fresh produce that's grown and sold locally.
What’s in-season right now where we live?
There are quite a few resources online to find what foods are grown near you at specific times of the year. Here are a few: Missouri only, Midwest
What are the benefits to eating in-season/local?
In short, in-season produce is tastier, has more nutrients available, and has a smaller carbon footprint. For more details, check out this link, or this link.
Places in or near Barton County to buy local produce/foods:
1. Sunny Gardens
Open Monday-Saturday from 8:30-5:30
838 E Hwy 160
Lamar, MO 64759
2. 10th St. Farmers Market
Open Saturdays from 9-12
Moore Pavilion 10th & Poplar Lamar, Missouri 64759
3. Barton County Produce Auction
Find auction schedule here.
669 NW 30th Ln
Lamar, MO 64759
4. Pittsburg Farmers Market
Open Saturdays 8-12
11th and Broadway
Pittsburg, KS 66762
5. Carthage Farmers Market
Open Wednesdays and Saturdays 6:30 AM to 2 PM
301 S Main St
Carthage, MO 64836
6. Nevada/Vernon County Market Square Days
Opens May 19, every Saturday, 8-12
Centennial Park Fairgrounds
Nevada, MO 64772
7. Webb City Farmer’s Market
Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 9-1:45, 4-7
106 E Tracy St
Webb City, MO 64870
Other steps you can take to both enjoy your fruits and veggies more, and reduce your carbon footprint:
Start your own garden- check out MU Extension publications (that are free to download) like Vegetable Gardening, Vegetable Planting Calendar, and Fruit Spray Schedule for Homeowners. You may also find other publications in this link helpful in starting your own garden. If you have any questions, be sure to contact your local Horticulture or Agronomy Specialists: Robert Balek- 417-358-2158, and Jill Scheidt, 417-682-3579.
Participate in the cultivation of a community garden- Theresa Dalby, Nutrition Program Associate for University of Missouri Extension, is looking for individuals interested in starting and maintaining a community garden in Barton County. Email dalbyt@missouri.edu if you have questions or are interested!
Engage in a conversation with the manager at your favorite restaurants about where they get their food. You may be surprised, or it may be an opportunity to encourage him or her into sourcing their ingredients more locally.
If you aren't all that concerned with shopping local for produce, or it just isn't feasible for you, you can easily find in-season produce at your local grocery store. In-season fruits and vegetables are usually highlighted or displayed at the front of the produce section. If you aren't sure, as an associate from the produce section. They should be able to help.
While we’re on the topic of behaviors that are good for us, and good for the environment, I’d love to take the opportunity to remind you that if you live or work in Barton County, you have a wonderful service in the Lamar Sheltered Workshop on 1401 Maple St, Lamar, MO 64759. They take several kinds of plastic, glass, aluminum, paper, cardboard, and more. They also have a drop off site on the northeast side of the Thiebaud Auditorium in Lamar. Take steps today to do your part in leaving a better world for our children.
