Farmers' Markets
relevance for achieving healthy, solidary, and sustainable food systems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35953/raca.v5i2.203Keywords:
Mercados campesinos, Alimentación saludable, Alimentación solidaria, Alimentación sustentableAbstract
The essay examines how farmers' markets promote healthy, solidarity-based, and sustainable food as an alternative to the challenges of globalization and the food crisis. These markets enhance the nutritional quality of food and foster social and environmental justice throughout the supply chain. By reducing food miles and minimizing the number of intermediaries, farmers' markets contribute to sustainability by offering fresh, healthy food directly from producers to consumers. Additionally, they help preserve local economies and cultural identity, strengthening food sovereignty and improving access to high-quality products. These markets play a key role by facilitating the direct sale of food and promoting the consumption of local products. This model aligns with solidarity-based food, which prioritizes the right-to-food approach, equity, and food justice, along with sustainability within food systems. The importance of sustainable food is also highlighted, as it involves environmentally respectful agro-food practices and resource preservation for future generations. Finally, the essay concludes that the positive impact of farmers' markets extends beyond individual nutrition, encompassing social, economic, and environmental aspects. Farmers' markets represent an invaluable opportunity to advance toward healthier, solidarity-based, and sustainable food; however, their success depends on institutional support and the commitment of local communities to overcome existing barriers.
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