Hug a farmer, buy a peach

With a national proclamation, unprecedented growth in farmers markets and the coining of the term "locavore" to define those who eat locally, the farmer is the new rock star.

The USDA recently proclaimed Aug. 1 to 7 National Farmers Market Week to "encourage the people of the United States to celebrate the benefits of farmers markets." By mid August, the USDA will conclude its 2010 National Farmers Markety Survey and offer results toward the end of the year.

Since the last survey in 2005, farmers markets have increased by nearly 29 percent to 5,274 markets nationwide. It's a trend that shows no signs of slowing.

Farmers markets are no longer just for fine dining restaurants but are becoming mainstream. The growth indicates that they are accessible for casual restaurants like Big Bowl committed to sustainablity, and for home cooks and travelers who see them as a source for variety, freshness and even entertainment. Farmers markets also provide the public a sense of security by providing knowledge of where food originates - a concern hard to avoid amid headlines of tainted food recalls. 

Big Bowl Executive Chef Marc Bernard encourages all of his cooks to frequent farmers markets to get inspired and to better understand the genesis of the local produce that comes into the restaurants. This summer, the special at all eight Big Bowl locations features Farmers Market Vegetable Chicken, a dish that changes according to what the chefs want to buy from the farmers. Farmer direct produce is also plentiful on the stir-fry bar.

In Minneaoplis, Chef Raul Gutierrez talks about the benefits of the farmers markets for the restaurant and consumers -- fresher produce and better prices. Click here to see the segment on KARE 11. Most recently, the Green City Market, which features farmers that Big Bowl buys from, was recognized as one of the best markets in the country by CNN. Minneapolis and Chicago also made Travel and Leisure's list of top farmers markets earlier this year.

Are you a farmer's market devotee? Is buying produce and products directly from the source important? Let us know what you think.