Farmers markets FAQs
Why support farmers markets?
Farmers markets can help improve food security for Nevadans by providing us with easy-to-access fresh produce, especially in rural and poor urban neighborhoods. They help us feed our state's expanding population, support our local agricultural economies, provide community spaces and address climate concerns as well.
They are good for our health and well-being.
Agricultural products sold at farmers markets are harvested at peak flavor and nutritional value. They taste better and are better for us!
They serve as small business incubators.
They provide an inexpensive, low-risk environment to develop agricultural and non-agricultural products and build a customer base. At every market, you can meet hardworking young entrepreneurs with big dreams for themselves and their communities.
They reduce Nevada's dependence on other states and countries for its food supply.
Nevada contributes only 0.2% of all agricultural commodities produced in the U.S. This lack of food production means potential food shortages caused by supply chain disruptions, trade policy changes, climate events-triggered losses and mass recalls, with no buffers provided by local agriculture. Increasing agricultural food production is vital, and farmers markets help farmers stay in business. The prices you pay at farmers’ markets reflect the true cost of food, including living wages for workers, humane treatment of animals and sustainable agricultural practices.
They ease food insecurity for Nevadans.
One in seven Nevadans doesn't have enough to eat. Several farmers markets in Nevada accept SNAP benefits. For years, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program has helped low-income seniors. Some farmers markets even donate fresh produce to local food pantries.
They're fun!
They are community spaces where friends and family gather, and many markets offer live music, free yoga and story hours. Some managers provide booths at reduced rates or no cost to local non-profits and agencies promoting community programs.
What can we do to strengthen Nevada farmers markets?
We heard from market managers that they need more support from their local governments in permits, fees and market-friendly regulations. Most importantly, there is one simple action we all can take right now: Show up at your neighborhood farmers market, get to know the vendors, buy their products and support their businesses as much as you can. You don’t have to be there every week or even every month. Don’t know where and when? You can find a farmers market near you by visiting NevadaFarmersMarkets.com.
How do I prepare foods purchased from the farmers market?
Our University experts have recipes, resources and classes that make it easy to prepare foods purchased from the farmers market!
Recipes
We've published a ton of recipes for preparing easy, affordable meals and drinks, including with ingredients purchased from the farmers market. To see our recipes, visit our publications library. In the "Filter Results" box, choose "All Years" and use the keyword "recipe."
A few of our favorite recipes include these:
Food safety and preservation resources
For help with using food preservation methods and techniques, such as water-bath or pressure canning, dehydrating or freeze drying, or picking or fermenting, to safety store your farmers market produce for later use, visit our Home Food Preservation Program's website.
Cooking classes
We offer cooking classes for people with limited incomes through our Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program, children and their families through our Little Books & Little Cooks Program, and older adults through our Cooking Matters Program. To learn more about classes near you, contact our Extension office in your county.
