A sprawl of tents, filled to the brim with everything from beef, to lettuce, to art, makes its way into the parking lot of Straubs every Saturday morning in the summer. There is music, fresh food to taste and buy, as well as friendly farmers. The occasion? The Clayton Farmer’s Market. This is the scenery that shopper Lenita Newberg has found herself in every summer weekend for the past two years.

“It’s not so much that I can’t get hamburger at the grocery store, but I can’t get it that’s grown well,” said Newberg. Newberg has been coming to the Clayton Farmers Market every Saturday morning that it’s in season for the past two years. This year, the market was open from May 5th to November 3rd.

The market not only benefits its shoppers, but the farmers that sell there. Stacey Larson works at Riverbend Roots farm, a farm nearby that depends on markets for about 40% of their profits. Along with the Clayton market, Riverbend Roots also goes to the Schlafly market, Webster market, and one in Alton.

Riverbend Roots is in Alton, and on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, they bring fresh produce to farmer’s markets in St. Louis. There, the customers shop and visit with farmers like Larson. People interested in farming sometimes make trips to the farm to learn about where their food is coming from.

“The markets are neat because you really get to… see everyone who eats your food,” said Larson. “It’s nice to have that interaction.” Larson also described how many shoppers ask about gardening tips and recipes, as well as offer new ideas for the farmers.

“Knowing the people who grow food and do it well, and care about our environment, and seeing smiling faces,” Newberg said her favorite part of coming to the market is. “There’s people I know who are actually producing this, instead of just people I never see again.”

“It’s really nice to be in an area where there’s a lot of interest in supporting local farms,” said Larson. People like Newberg from communities all around the world shop local, helping support growers like Larson and other small farms.

Throughout the winter months, the Clayton Farmer’s Market will continue to be open at the Center of Clayton. Will you buy local?