(Watsonville, CA)  In support of National Farmers’ Market Week, the Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF) reminds consumers about their guide which provides consumers with quick tips to help choose a vendor when shopping at a farmers’ market.  This guide can be found at the safefruitsandveggies.com website and is part of the AFF’s continuing efforts to provide consumers with credible and accessible food safety information about fruits and veggies.

“Many consumers who shop regularly at farmers’ markets often have developed a list of their favorite vendors,” explains Marilyn Dolan, AFF Executive Director.  “But if this is a new shopping experience or if a consumer is exploring a market they haven’t visited before, we’ve developed a brief list of food safety questions to consider asking vendors to ensure the food is grown safely and responsibly,” Dolan says.

“By asking just a few questions from the AFF’s list, a consumer can see how knowledgeable a vendor is about the food he/she is selling and they may learn some interesting farming facts as well, which can add to the overall farmers’ market shopping experience,” Dolan adds.

These suggested food safety-focused questions by the AFF are similar to those asked by local grocery stores and restaurants of the farmers who supply their fruits and vegetables.  Farmers who sell to local grocery stores are subject to stringent government laws and regulations regarding food safety and pesticide usage which are verified through enforcement measures and federal and state product sampling programs.  Vendors selling at farmers’ markets may not be subject to the same scrutiny by a buying entity or the government, therefore shoppers may want to ask just a few of these questions to learn more about how the food is produced.

“Shopping at a farmers’ markets is an enjoyable way to buy your fruits and veggies,” Dolan says.  “And, asking just a few questions can provide shoppers with a wonderful opportunity to learn more about how that food is grown and connect with farmers.  We hope this new guide helps more consumers create their own ‘favorite vendor’ list.”

Click on the Farmers’ Market tab of the home page at www.safefruitandveggies.com to download this guide.

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The Alliance for Food and Farming is a non-profit organization formed in 1989 which represents organic and conventional farmers and farms of all sizes.  Alliance contributors are limited to farmers of fruits and vegetables, companies that sell, market or ship fruits and vegetables or organizations that represent produce farmers.  Our mission is to deliver credible information to consumers about the safety of fruits and vegetables. The Alliance does not engage in any lobbying activities, nor do we accept any money or support from the pesticide industry.