Rising food prices make farmers markets a better bargain

Nick Nichols pumped $200 worth of diesel into his truck last Saturday morning to make the 63-mile trip from his farm in Marengo to the Green City Market in Lincoln Park. At $4.82 per gallon, Nichols says his fuel costs are up about 35 percent over last year. But while the rising gas prices may impact the cost of going to market for local Illinois farmers like Nichols, it may be making their produce a better buy for consumers. Food sold at grocery stores generally has farther to travel and consequently incurs greater fuel costs.