As more farmers adopt short distribution channels, consumers may benefit from them insofar as they increase access to healthier food options. This may lead to potential societal benefits via a reduction in obesity rates. The relationship between the presence of farmers’ markets and adult Italians’ Body Mass Index (BMI) was assessed by applying quantile regression on a cross-sectional, individual-level database, matched with regional farmers’ markets density figures. Findings illustrate that for most adult Italians, a higher density of farmers’ markets is associated with lower BMIs and that this relationship becomes more marked for individuals with higher BMIs facing limited supermarket access.
