Farmers markets are back in business in Cayuga County and not a moment too soon. With the rapidly escalating price of gasoline, transporting produce long distances is certain to affect the price you pay in the supermarket. In the United States, most produce travels from 1,500 to 2,500 miles from farm to your table. If you can't afford a trip across the country because of gas prices, why should the produce you buy travel so far?

In addition to reducing gasoline consumption, here are some other great reasons to buy foods at a farmers market:

• Freshness: Locally grown produce at farmers markets usually is sold within 24 hours of being harvested. Fruits and vegetables shipped across the country may spend a week or more in transit to the supermarket.

• Better flavor: Locally grown produce does not have to be tough enough to survive the rigors of days of transport. Local fruits and vegetables (especially tomatoes, berries and peaches) taste better because they can be harvested at the peak of ripeness.

• Maximum value: Your food dollars are paying for the best tasting produce, not for transportation and packaging.

• Reduced waste: Plastic used to keep produce fresh in supermarkets ends up in landfills. Take a reusable bag to the farmers market and no packaging is discarded.

• Support for the local economy: Keeping dollars in Cayuga County benefits all of its residents. Buying from local farmers keeps small farms in business.

• Increase your knowledge: The farm families selling produce can answer your questions about their products and give you suggestions about how to prepare them.

The Auburn Farmers Market runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays on Genesee Street in Auburn. A wireless terminal will be available for shoppers to use their Electronic Benefit Cards, credit cards or debit cards. A bonus $5 Fresh Checks coupon will be given each day that EBT Card users spend $5 or more. WIC Farmers Market coupons and Senior Nutrition Program coupons also are accepted.

A new Sterling Nature Center Farmers Market runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Farmers markets in Moravia and Locke will start in July.

Asparagus, greens, radishes, rhubarb and bedding plants will be available this week, according to Millie Bednarski, Auburn Farmers Market manager. Stop by the Cooperative Extension table Thursday, June 5, to get a sample of pasta and asparagus from Becky Crawford and to congratulate our summer employee, Julie Tucker, on her graduation from Cornell University with a degree in nutrition.

Tip of the week: Buy a basil plant at the farmers market. Leaves from the plant can be chopped and added for seasoning to soups, salads and vegetable stews.

Christine Gutelius, MA, RD, CDN, is a nutrition resource educator with the Eat Smart NY program at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County.