Live a Sustainable Life

Purchase organic and support your local farm

Buying organic products typically helps support smaller, family-owned farms and reduces farmers’ exposure to harmful pesticides and fertilizers. Although it may cost a little more, the additional money helps support a growing industry that is trying to provide more environmentally-responsible products and manufacturing techniques and healthy alternatives to the mass-produced, industrialized food industry. Although you may be using more gas to drive to multiple locations, the freshness and unique varieties of produce roadside stands or farmers markets offer are worth it.

According to EarthTrends, World Resources Institute, North America has more than 12,000 organic farms, making up only 0.51% of total agriculture land area. Australia, Europe, Latin America, Austria, and Switzerland all beat out our continent for percentage of organic farming.

Shop local. Stop at a farm stand or market on your way home. Below are some local farmer markets in the Princeton Area:

Montgomery Friends Farmers Market
Village Shopper on Route 206 just north of Route 518
June 21 through October 18
Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Highlights: Organic beef, pork, poultry, fruit, and produce from local farms

West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market
Vaughn Drive and Alexander Road, West Windsor
May 10 to last weekend in October
Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Highlights: NJ local produce, organics, beef, pork, lamb, poultry, breads, pastries, apples and cider, bedding plants

Pennington Farmers Market
Pennington Shopping Center, Route 31 and Delaware
Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Highlights: Gourmet prepared foods, organic popcorn, eggs, entertainment, on site cooking.

Trenton Farmer’s Market
960 Spruce St., Lawrence
Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Highlights: Jersey fresh produce from local farms, crab shack, Polish, German, Italian and Mexican specialties

Lawrenceville Farmer’s Market
16 Gordon Ave., Lawrenceville
Every Sunday from June 6 through October 31, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Highlights: Local fruits, vegetables, cheese, mushrooms, pickles, flowers, herbs, potted plants, breads, vendors vary

To learn more about organic food sales trends, visit organic-world.net.