Stretch Your Dollar at a Local Farmers Market

Yesterday, while my wife and I unloaded groceries, she made the comment, “I have to wonder how big of footprint these apples left. They came all the way from New Zealand!”

More and more we hear the term “footprint” referring to the amount of energy used during the manufacturing or creation of products in the course of being made, shipped, stored and ultimately consumed by consumers. I think it safe to assume that an apple shipped from New Zealand left a pretty substantial footprint. I hesitate to even think about the freshness!

Thank goodness it is that time of year when local gardeners and farmers are able to present us with a great variety of locally grown fresh produce! With a number of farmers markets in the Racine area, from seasonal outdoor markets to indoor year round markets, there’s ample opportunity for us to generate local revenue by supporting local merchants and getting fresher food in the process.

Goods sold at these markets range from fresh fruits and vegetables to cider, organic soaps and beauty products, plants, cut flowers, dried flowers, candles, honey, meats, and other locally grown and manufactured items.

With a farmers market available every day of the week in the Racine area, I put together the following list arranged by day. I hope you find the opportunity to support local businesses and stock up on delicious, fresh produce at great prices at the same time!

Saturday

Racine Downtown Farmers Market, 700 State St. (corner of State St. and Erie), from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Open May through October. For information contact Luane Gall, 262-886-6197.

Racine County Indoor/Outdoor Farmers Market from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located at 1614 South Street just west of Douglas Ave. Open year-round. For information contact Matt Behrs at 262-914-0560.

Sunday

Racine County Indoor/Outdoor Farmers Market, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located at 1614 South Street just west of Douglas Ave. Open year-round. Contact Matt Behrs at 262-914-0560.

Monday

Sturtevant Farmers Market, open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Located outside Fountain Banquet Hall at 8505 Durand Ave. Open May 23 through October 31, weather permitting. For information contact Roxanne South, 262-260-8224.

Tuesday

Racine County Indoor/Outdoor Farmers Market, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Located at 1614 South Street just west of Douglas Ave. Open year-round. Contact Matt Behrs at 262-914-0560.

Elmwood Plaza Farmers Market at Durand Ave. and Lathrop Ave., from 8 a.m. till 12 p.m., May through October. Contact Luane Gall at 262-886-6197.

Wednesday

West Racine Farmers Market, corner of Washington Ave. and West Boulevard, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., May through October. Contact Luane Gall at 262-886-6197.

Thursday

St. Andrews Farmers Market, in the parking lot of St. Andrews Lutheran Church at 1015 4 Mile Rd., from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Open June through September. For information contact Mark Trinklein at 414-217-3043.

Friday

West Racine Farmers Market, corner of Washington Ave. and West Boulevard, from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m., May through October. Contact Luane Gall at 262-886-6197.

Racine County Indoor/Outdoor Farmers Market, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Located at 1614 South Street just west of Douglas Ave. Open year-round. Contact Matt Behrs at 262-914-0560.