Go green in the most obvious, healthy way a person can: at the farmers’ market. Pick up the freshest produce available at affordable prices, along with meats, cheeses, baked goods, crafts and flowers.   

   There are four farmers markets located around town: Greater Springfield Farmers’ Market, C-Street Market, Southwest Market and the Friday Night Farmers’ Market at Park Central Square.

   The Greater Springfield Farmer’s Market, located in the Battlefield Mall parking lot and the C-Street Market, on Commercial Street, are perhaps the most familiar.

   “The other markets just don’t have the customers,” said Chuck Hart, vendor at Greater Springfield Farmers’ Market. “They aren’t as well known. Here we have more variety and vendors. The more vendors, the more customers. We’re in a good location and we’ve been around longer.”

   The reward for shopping at a  market is more than just getting fresh vegetables. Improving one’s health and nutrition, helping the environment and supporting local family farms are among the many benefits.

   Another advantage is knowing where the food is coming from and having someone there to answer questions about how it was grown and raised.

   Particularly during the autumn months, people tend to decorate according to the season. Usually hay bails, scarecrows, flowers and pumpkins are seen on several front porches . These markets offer each of these items as well as many fresh vegetables and baked goods.

   The Greater Springfield Farmer’s Market is open year-round with different vegetables being available during their “in-season,” where as the C-Street Market begins in the middle of April and ends around the end of October.

   Being a smaller market, C-Street has had more problems than usual due to the condition of the economy.  Not enough people are attending which is resulting in a loss of vendors, which results in a smaller market.

   The economy has caused a number of vendors to pack up early and dismiss themselves from the season. However, most haven’t given up hope and are looking forward to a better season next year.

   The last of the charcoals have been burned and we’re already beginning to pull out last year’s sweaters. Summer has come to an end. Maybe that’s being too precocious. However, with Springfield’s Farmers’ Markets offering fall foods, arrangements and crafts: a new season is here.