Last Friday’s fierce rain, coming after weeks of record-breaking heat and dry weather, brought a welcome reprieve to Vashon’s parched plants and animals. In the familiar cool and lingering damp of the next morning, throngs of people headed to the farmers market, which showcased this summer’s finest: a riot of blooming flowers, a multitude of crafts, handcrafted food and — at the market’s heart — mounds of freshly picked produce from island farms.
In a summer such as this, when farmers have contended with scarce rain and abundant blazing sun, it is important to remember the value of supporting island agriculture. Buying food from island farmers — our friends and neighbors — provides a host of benefits for us as individuals, the island community and beyond.
Nutrition experts tell us to routinely eat a rainbow; by choosing fruits and vegetables across the color spectrum, we have the best chance of getting all the nutrients we need. The market boasts a colorful kaleidoscope of food each week, all of which was growing in the field just hours before. This freshness translates to excellent flavor and high nutritional value.
Shopping from island farmers is a plus for the environment, as the food they offer travels a just a short distance, not transported thousands of miles before it was set out to sell. Small, local farmers also tend to grow food with more earth-friendly methods than their corporate counterparts.
Finally, buying from local growers helps keep money on the island and bolsters the local economy.
Members of the Vashon Island Growers Association have worked hard over the years to increase access to local food for islanders with limited incomes. Both SNAP and WIC are accepted at the farmers market, and customers who shop through those programs can receive funds to stretch their dollars farther.
It is not essential for all of us to shop at the Saturday market; the Wednesday market provides a smaller, quieter alternative, and several island farms offer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. The same benefits exist regardless.
This summer has been a challenging one for many island farmers, who have put in considerable time and effort to make the growing season a success. As summer winds down, let’s be sure to support them and savor their harvest with all its benefits.
