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Keep farmers in business by buying local

Maybe it’s the long hours and overworked muscles, but there isn’t a day when we’re not overcome with gratitude that we live in a town that’s supportive of the Durango Farmers Market. After all the hard work, we’re so lucky that Durango shows up to buy our produce, so grateful for the familiar faces that we see visit every stand.

We may not know your name, but we know your face, and every week when we give you your change, we look into your eyes and say a silent thank you. You’re the reason we can continue to do what we love and believe it makes the world a better place.

But, many of us do not make enough money to justify the long hours on the farm. Surprisingly, local farmers are growing plenty of food to make a living. We just need more customers to buy it!

Local farm yields during August and September are much greater than the demand for local food. Farmers bring only a portion of their harvest to market, and still we go home with the harvest. Much of our produce gets thrown on the compost pile or tilled under in the field.

So here’s our challenge for you, Durango. During peak season, buy all your produce at the Farmers Market. Better yet, buy enough to make pesto, frozen sauces and soups as well as jars of pickled herby beets, carrots, onions, peppers, garlic and beans (yum!). For many of us, a sold-out market stand will make the difference between whether or not we continue to farm.

We believe that Durango knows life is more beautiful with friends around the table, and flavorful, nutritious, pesticide-free produce grown close enough that you can come and see us do it. You have the power to keep a farmer’s dreams alive by buying everything he or she has so carefully tended to for the last six months. In just a few weeks, you’ll be back at the grocery store, pining for the day your local farmers to come back. Please make sure they do.

Linley Dixon

Durango



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