WHO’S YOUR FARMER?
By Nancy Smith, board member Missouri Farmers Union and consultant to Sappington Market
Just when we thought it was safe to buy produce, another serious food safety crisis has occurred. The recent salmonella/tomato event has been handled well by the FDA, with detailed information on the types of tomatoes involved, and listings of the states which have had no salmonella involvement, to help the consumer make choices at the market or restaurant.
However, there’s an easier way to protect one’s family from food-borne illness-“Know Your Farmer”. Buying locally from farmers you can meet face-to-face is the best strategy for providing fresh, healthful, tasty and safe produce.
Sappington Market makes that process easier by developing relationships with local farmers. The most unique feature about Sappington’s local food is that some of the farmers who sell food to the store also own the store. What better way could there be to provide motivation for the farmer to deliver only safe, fresh, healthy AND AFFORDABLE food to the market?
From time to time, farmers are available for consumers to engage in conversation and ask the all-important questions. “How do you grow your food?” “Is it organically grown?”
The farmers who own Sappington Market welcome the opportunity to educate the consumer about their commitment to quality, safety and freshness.
Locally grown can mean many things. Sappington Market’s farmers are all family farmers who are directly involved in the full-time work on their farm. They have a passion for healthy food, outdoor living, freshness and safety. They constantly educate themselves on better ways to grow their products, and they look for unique ways to add value to their products.
On a similar note, whenever a food safety issue arises that is possibly attributable to use of manure, many consumers avoid organic on the mistaken assumption that organic growers use fresh manure. The fact is that in order to be certified either organic or naturally grown, the producer may only use manure that is composted or at least six months old. Composting kills harmful organisms and aging has the same effect, so there is no safety issue when purchasing organically certified or certified naturally grown produce. In fact, organic produce has an excellent track record and provides a safe alternative to produce that has been conventionally grown, handled by many people and shipped long distances. In summary, when consumers know their farmers, they can still feel confident about buying safe and healthful produce for their families.
SAPPINGTON MARKET IS LOCATED AT 8400 WATSON ROAD, BETWEEN ELM AND LACLEDE.
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