Those are words that appear on a poster by the Weston A. Price Foundation, a Washington, DC-based nutrition foundation whose mission is to teach people about the compelling nutrition research done by Dr. Weston A. Price in the 1930s, and encourage everyone to return to eating healthy traditional locally-produced foods instead of modern day, processed and fast food.

 “I have a passion for teaching others about the importance of eating locally produced, traditional foods, like seasonal produce, local raw honey, pastured meats and poultry, eggs from pastured chickens and dairy products made from real milk,” said Dietz, a local chapter leader for the Foundation.

So when Dietz asked if she was interested in the manager position, she jumped at the opportunity, viewing it as a way to not only help connect local farmers and growers with consumers, but to help educate people on the importance of eating locally produced food and sustaining our local farming communities.

“I watched my father eat low and no fat, no cholesterol, processed foods for over 20 years because he thought that’s what he had to do to control his high cholesterol, blood pressure and weight,” said Dietz.

Those efforts did lower his total cholesterol number but he was diagnosed with Type II diabetes, which he tried to control for many years with medication.

“Two months before his death, he learned that his arteries were severely blocked and there was no medical procedure or magic pill to help him,” said Dietz. “His story is all too familiar in today’s world. Buying locally-produced food at a farmers market is the first step consumers can take to invest in their health and local economy.”

According to Dietz, farmers markets are a rapidly-growing trend in the United States as people search for answers to their health problems, and problems with the food supply. This is especially true with more and more food-borne illness from meat from feed-lot animals and produce from countries outside the United States making the headlines.

On average, food travels a distance of 2,000 miles before reaching our tables said Dietz. Buying at farmers’ markets means produce was picked usually within 24 hours of the market. The nutrition content of produce is highest when it’s harvested when ripe, and consumed within a short time thereafter.

“I have been to farmers’ markets all over the world and have found them to be the ‘pulse’ of the community during the market season,” said Dietz. “Locals come to the market to buy all their fresh produce, eggs, meats and other locally-produced food items, as well as visit with the vendors, who often become friends over the years.”

The markets also offer tourists in the area a way to pick up fresh, locally grown or produced food items, as well as learn about an area by talking with market vendors and other customers.

“You often learn things about an area that no tour book can tell you,” said Dietz.

And it’s that interaction as well as the friendships with other vendors that bring vendors back year after year.

At the market

Operating since 1986, the Clarion Farmers’ Market features more than 10 vendors from Clarion and surrounding counties offering a variety of products.

“We are coming out of a trend that took us to mega-malls and grocery stores and returning to the days of going to town on Saturdays to do our shopping,” said Dietz. “Main Street Clarion is one of those towns experiencing change. We need to give people a reason to come back to Main Street .”

The Clarion County Farmers Market is a producers market, which means the vendors all produce the majority of what they sell.

“The vendors at the Clarion Farmers Market are dedicated to providing us with fresh, healthy food, and we are blessed to have a great group of vendors, some of whom have been vendors at the Market for many years,” said Dietz.

Consumers can buy produce, fruit, honey, jams and jellies, maple syrup and other maple products, eggs, beef, pork, chicken, bread and other baked goods.

This year visitors to the market also will be able to choose from a variety of cheeses, made from a licensed dairy near New Castle .

In addition to the variety of produce already available, Dietz and other vendors would like to see the addition of homemade baked breads.

Dietz also has plans to have the market grow in a new direction by making educational information available and having experts on hand at the market throughout the season. Experts will offer classes on health-related subjects, composting, and other related topics and activities for children.

“We are trying to teach people about what we have right here naturally,” said Dietz.

Also a fun event to look forward to is a “Zucchini 500,” based on an event at the Easton Market. Like a Pinewood Derby race, participants will model cars out of zucchini.

“Zucchini is so plentiful in this area and easy to get your hands on,” said Dietz about the event.

A list of speakers and events will be published as dates and times are confirmed.

“Part of my goal is to make people more aware of the farmers market and the variety of products we have,” said Dietz. “It’s not just about produce, which is the main reason people should come to the farmers market.”

Dietz also will publish a column in the clarion news discussing nutritional tips, recipes and why certain vegetables are good for the body. It will also educate the public about what is available throughout the season.

With food-borne illness and the rising cost of transportation Dietz said the emphasis of the market is the freshness and the quality of eating locally.

Farmers markets offer support for the local community and local farmers and is only available for a limited amount of time.

“It helps sustain our local economy and the people who are passionate about what they do by giving us this good food and we need to support them,” said Dietz.

New sponsor

This year, the Clarion County Farmers’ Market Association made the decision to look for a sponsor and the Clarion branch of the investment firm, Janney Montgomery Scott, agreed.

“It seemed only fitting that a local firm committed to helping individuals and businesses invest in their financial future, invest in our future,” said Dietz.

“We believe in giving back to our community in many different ways,” said Matt Lerch, of Janney’s Clarion office. “Representing the sixth generation of our family here in Clarion County , with many of our ancestors being farmers, we felt it was appropriate when called upon to sponsor the Clarion County Farmers’ Market. We consider supporting organizations that work to sustain our communities - the Farmers Market is obviously an organization focused on just that.”

The business donated $1,000 toward this year’s market and Dietz and the market association are grateful for the donation.

“We will now be able to have some roadside signs made and do more advertising of all of our events, so everyone will know Downtown Clarion has a Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings, May through October and what special events we have organized,” said Dietz.

The farmers market association is always looking for ideas or to find out how to become a market vendor, contact Dietz at 227-8101.

The market is 8:30 a.m. – noon , Saturdays, May 10 through Oct. 25, next to the Clarion County Courthouse. There will not be a market during the Autumn Leaf Festival.

“It is my hope that everyone will take the time to visit Clarion on Saturday mornings and discover what great food, shopping and friendship is available right here in downtown Clarion,” said Dietz.