Shopping at the farmers' market is certainly a different experience from buying groceries at the supermarket - and a much more pleasant one, if you ask me. Whether you are new to farmers' markets or a long-time regular, we hope these tips will help you to make the most of your visit.
1.
Know your seasons – Having an idea of what to
expect can make for smoother planning and shopping. Check out a seasonal produce chart or talk
with farmers about what might be ready for market in the coming weeks.
2.
Get there early – The best produce goes
fast! Arriving at the very start of the
market will give you the greatest selection of goods, both in terms of variety
and quality. Highly perishable items will also be freshest earlier in the day. The market opens at 9:00 a.m. on Saturdays and 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.
3.
Bring small bills and keep cash easily accessible – Most
items only cost a few dollars. While vendors can usually make change, they appreciate small bills and/or exact change
when possible.
4.
Bring your own bags – Bringing your own
bags is great for the environment and saves the vendor a little bit of
money. You might also consider bringing a small cooler or ice packs if
you plan to purchase meat, eggs, or other items that must be kept cool.
5.
Leave the dog at home – Due to health and
safety regulations, no animals are permitted on the market premises with the
exception of service animals.
6.
Bring your kids – Not only is the market a
fun family outing; it is also a great setting to teach children about healthy
eating, sustainability, and where their food comes from. When you get home, ask them to help prepare a
meal or snack with the produce you bought together.
7.
Scope out the scene – Take a lap around the
market before you buy. Multiple vendors
might be selling the same items. Whose
looks the freshest? Who has the best
prices? Are you looking for specific
variety or an organically grown option?
8.
Be flexible – You never know what will be
available on any given day at the farmers’ market, so keep an open mind. Rather than have a list of specific items you
need, think about what meals you plan to prepare during the week and be open to
substituting different veggies if you need to.
9.
Get to know the vendors – Take the time to
say hello to the farmers as you shop.
They can often give you a preview of what might be coming next week,
information about their growing practices, or (best of all) delicious tips for
how to prepare and enjoy their produce.
10. Try
something new every week – Part of the fun of the farmers’ market is
exploring varieties you can’t find at the supermarket, so step outside your comfort zone. And be ready to deal with real, whole
foods. Market produce is unprocessed, so
carrots will be unpeeled and root veggies likely come with their green tops
attached. Don’t be afraid to ask how to
prepare foods you may not be accustomed
to.
11. Take
advantage of the market information booth – In addition to general
market information, our booth this season will feature a weekly recipe and
activities or giveaways on our special events days.
12. Wash
everything when you get home – Since you are getting products
straight from the farm, you may find that a little dirt, sand, or even small
bugs come home with you, too. Rinse all
produce thoroughly before eating it. If
you have the time, wash, dry, trim and store everything when you get home so
that your fruits and veggies are ready to go when you need them.
There you have it! Soon you'll be shopping like a pro and enjoying the freshest produce around.
See you at the market!
Sources: ModernFarmer.com, BlueCrabMartini.com,
YellowBlissRoad.com, RD.com, TheKitchn.com
