Looking for farmers markets in the Hudson Valley? Find farmer's markets selling fresh organic and local produce in the Hudson Valley where local farms and farmer's markets abound. Visit your local farmer's market in one of many locations in all ten counties of the Hudson Valley. Find local Farmers Markets in Albany, Farmers Markets in Rensselaer, Farmers Markets in Greene County, Farmers Markets in Columbia, NY County, and the mid-Hudson Valley and lower-Hudson Valley counties of Farmers Markets in Ulster County, Farmers Markets in Dutchess County, Farmers Markets in Orange County in New York, Farmers Markets in Putnam, Farmers Markets in Westchester, Farmers Markets in Rockland County.

Experience the colorful abundance of nutritious, high quality locally grown foods, the aroma of fresh produce and the friendly banter of farmers and customers, neighbors and families. A visit to a farmers market is an adventure, one that can be experienced every week in your own community. If you've got kids, bring the children to the farmers market. Children love visiting their local farmer's market where they may see produce they've never seen before, locally made products such as breads, cakes, and honey; and local music playing at the market.

Farmer's markets are a great way to experience buying the food you eat and a wonderful lesson in supporting your own community and the environment.

Going green encompasses many small and large acts; each contributing to saving our planet. Each of us can contribute to "going green" by buying from local farms and farmers markets. Farmers markets have become more available in the Hudson Valley. To find your local market or list of farmers markets in the Hudson Valley, press Local Harvest and enter your zip-code or your city. A list of local farmers markets, including address and hours of operations for your local farm is displayed.

Buy Local Movement
The "buy local" movement is quickly taking us beyond the promise of environmental responsibility that the organic movement delivered, and awakening us to the importance of community, variety, humane treatment of farm animals, and social and environmental responsibility in regard to our food economy.

Local Farmers Markets
Farmers markets are one of the oldest forms of direct marketing by small farmers. From the traditional "Mercados" in the Peruvian Andes to the unique street markets in Asia, growers all over the world gather weekly to sell their produce directly to the public. In the last decade they have become a favorite marketing method for many farmers throughout the United States, and a weekly ritual for many shoppers.

In a farmers market, a group of farmers sell their products once or twice a week at a designated public place like a park or parking lot. Some farmers markets have live entertainment. Shopping at a farmers market is a great way to meet local farmers and get fresh, flavorful produce. Find your local farmers market by searching New York State Community Markets and local farmers markets Farmers and Local Markets

Farmers markets provide a means for local producers of agricultural products to sell those products directly to the consumer. Many communities throughout New York State view farmers markets as a positive avenue for supporting local agriculture, providing a source of fresh fruits and vegetables to the residents of their community, and as a means of drawing people into their community aiding in the economic redevelopment of an area.

The Farmers’ Market Federation of New York is a statewide not-for-profit organization designed to both promote and provide support services for the farmers markets within New York State. The Federation was formed through the collective efforts of market managers throughout the state, Cooperative Extension, and the Department of Agriculture & Markets, and was initially funded by a Federal State Marketing Improvement Grant in early 1998.

Large scale chemical agriculture continues to poison our soil and our water, and weaken our communities. Buying directly from a family farm can help put a stop to this unfortunate trend. By purchasing organic produce from your local farmer, you are working to maintain a healthy environment, a vibrant community, and a strong and sustainable local economy for you and for your family.

The freshest, healthiest, most flavorful organic food is food that is grown locally. Organically grown food is free from exposure to harmful chemicals; but that is only one small part of the importance of organic products. A larger part of Organic Agriculture involves the health of the soil and of the ecosystems in which crops and livestock are raised. Organic Agriculture is born from the idea that a healthy environment significantly benefits crops and the health of those consuming them. In addition, organic practices are also viable in the long term, since they are efficient in their use of resources. Unlike large scale "chemical agriculture", Organic Agriculture does not damage the environment and our local community.

Both economic and health factors have resulted in the growth of farmers markets across the country. Not only is a whole new generation of farmers seeking retail outlets which will increase their profitability and viability thus preserving agriculture for themselves and future generations, but also, consumers are discovering that farmers markets are a fun, reasonably priced, alternative to supermarkets. At farmers markets they have direct access to fresh, healthy local foods and to the farmers who are producing the foods. The experience inevitably includes developing relationships and friendships with the farmers and gaining an understanding and appreciation of where their food comes from and how it is produced.

Use the Local Harvest website for more about farms, CSA Farms, Community Markets, farmers markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area, where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other delicious treats.