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Farmers' markets around the Magnolia State growing: buy fresh, buy local increasingly popular here, around country.

Article Excerpt
Campaigns to encourage people to buy local and buy fresh are a major trend today across the U.S. as people get more interested in eating a healthy diet and supporting local farmers and hence the local economy.

Horticulturist Dr. David Nagel, Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service, said the popularity of farmers' markets is increasing in Mississippi.

"New farmers' markets are being developed in several cities every year," Nagel said. "Both Starkville and Hattiesburg are in the development stages in 2008. This trend is evident all across the U.S.A."

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Advantages to the general public include being able to purchase fruits and vegetables that have been recently harvested. The buyer is dealing directly with the producer and can find out information about varieties and the method of production, and can get advice on which particular vegetable most closely matches the characteristics they desire.

"Local producers are often willing to grow a few plants of an orange eggplant, a white tomato, an orange-fleshed watermelon or a hot pepper other than cayenne or jalapeno if the buyer can...

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