Courtesy Be Local Northern Colorado / Dan Bihn
The more than 40 vendors at the winter farmers markets in Fort Collins , Colo. , trade product like meat , vino and cider , cheese , baked goods , coffee , and crafts .
Consumers ’ demand for topically produced goods and their willingness to support local Farmer continues to rise . From 2008 to 2009 , the telephone number of granger markets increased 13 percent to 5,274 farmers marketplace across the nation , consort to USDA statistic . From 2012 to 2013 , the number increase 3.6 percentage to more than 8,000 . This need is not likely to diminish because of cold weather .
“ We do find out of more farmers markets test to find ways to extend their season , ” says Erin Barnett from Local Harvest , a website that provides a comprehensive database of U.S. farmers markets . “ Some offer a once- or doubly - a - month schedule through the wintertime , or at least until the end of the calendar yr . ”
In New York , for example , more than 60 farmers markets carry on operations throughout the body politic at both indoor and outdoor locations .
“ Many farmers markets across the state have extended their stay and are decorated for the holidays , offer a broad variety of topically made or produce products that can make appeal gifts or additions to your holiday feasts , ” says Patrick Hooker , the Department of State ’s agriculture commissioner .
However , winter Fannie Farmer markets can allow for more than vacation solicitation . While products offered at winter farmers market vary by region , they also dissent from the spring or summer marketplace , Barnett says . The focus turns to animal and nonperishable products , such as heart , cheese , bollock , dearest , preserves , syrups , crafts and storage vegetables .
The winter farmer market place in Fort Collins , Colo. , run by Be Local Northern Colorado , draws in two sort of consumers : guile shoppers and regular farmers market goers . The marketplace started in 2006 with one market in December and , because of its popularity , has expound this year to 10 markets between November and April .
The grocery , which features more than 40 vendor , is also serving as the launching inking pad for a future yr - orotund , indoor , “ European - style ” grocery , say Hill Grimmet , cobalt - director of Be Local Northern Colorado .
For those lacking a nearby wintertime farmers market place and who do n’t feel market shop solid food will serve , the Florida key is to project ahead .
“ Next twelvemonth , people should come out think about wintertime in the summer , ” Barnett suggests . “ They can arise supernumerary intellectual nourishment and preserve or store it , or stock up on warehousing crops at the farmers markets in the descent and keep things in their basements , freezers or refrigerators until needed . ”
