Shopping local means you get to know exactly where your food is coming from. Often, the farmers themselves or someone very familiar with the product are at the market. You can ask about what conditions the product was grown in, how it was cared for, and sometimes even sample it to taste the freshness. This is also a great opportunity for networking within the community, or, if you're just visiting, to find out what the locals here are all about!
Another reason to shop local is to support the community's economy. It would be hard for small, local farmers to keep nurturing the bounty of the land without economic resources. Every purchase goes toward sustaining the South Haven Farmers Market. The farmers market isn't the only example of our area supporting local farmers and artisans. South Haven, MI, area restaurants use locally-grown and sourced ingredients whenever possible. Our area also has several shops that sell local artists' and artisans' crafts.