If you're looking for a place to find sustainable food in the Seacoast area, the local farmers market may be for you. Throughout the summer, local and organic food can be purchased at the Portsmouth, Exeter, Dover, Durham and Hampton farmers markets.
These markets are all organized by the nonprofit Seacoast Growers' Association. All of the items are grown or made locally by the people who sell them.
"I'm proud of everything I grow," said Todd Wagner from Applecrest Farm Orchards.
Wagner said that his personal favorite is the nectarines, which are tree-ripened, a practice that isn't common in modern day agriculture.
In addition to local produce, flowers and garden plants, meats and dairy, breads and pastries and other prepared foods are also available. Crafts such as pottery, jewelry and furniture are available as well.
"We are so lucky to have access to locally grown produce, fresh from the garden, and to be able to reduce our carbon footprints at the same time," Morgan Dudley, a UNH faculty member and Durham resident, said. "My daughter loves picking out flowers."
Patrons of the farmers market said that the local growers are very knowledgeable about their produce and can answer a wide variety of questions about it.
"The vendors are always so knowledgeable and friendly," said Leah Daniels, UNH student and Durham resident.
The markets are held rain or shine each week and will continue to run until mid-October. Dover's market is held each Wednesday in the Chamber of Commerce parking lot and Portsmouth's is held in the City Hall parking lot on Saturdays. Vendors for the Exeter Farmer's Market line Swasey Parkway, along the Squamscott River in downtown Exeter every Thursday. Hampton's Farmers Market is held every Tuesday in the Sacred Heart School parking lot.
The Durham Farmers Market is held in the Durham Marketplace parking lot on Mondays. Visiting the Durham Farmers Market can be a great way to get involved with the sustainable food movement without ever stepping foot off campus.
According to Wagner, the UNH community makes up a very small percentage of the customer base at the farmers markets. He said that if the university were to make it part of their lives, not only would UNH benefit from fresh food, but the vendors would as well.
Usual vendors at the market include Applecrest Farm Orchards, Hollister Family Farm, Meadow's Mirth, Moriarty's Greenhouse, Nottingham Orchard and Wake Robin Farm.
When people buy directly from local farmers, producers and crafters at the markets, more money goes to the people who do the work because there is no distributor or middleman. There isn't a marketing department to take its cut, or a horde of salesmen to pay.
"I love going to the local farmers market, especially the Durham Farmer's Market because the food is fresh, local and organic," said Daniels.
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