Farmers Market Tips for Your Next Visit

It’s difficult to share farmers market tips when farmers market vendors and available food options can vary so widely. For this reason, let me share a bit about what I can usually find at my favorite area farmers market and a few tips that you might find helpful, if you find something similar near you.

In my area, there are several “farmers” markets within roughly a 20-30 minute drive. While most are open on either Saturdays or Sundays, they all follow a different schedule and frequency. Additionally, the selection ranges from almost entirely store-bought items to over 50% local produce, meat, eggs,  handmade products and more.

My favorite farmers market is a year-round market offering a wide variety of fresh produce, butchered meats, freshly baked goods, honey, eggs, fermented foods, teas, olive oil and balsamic vinegars, mushrooms, plants, as well as lots of handmade products like pottery, carpentry items, and paintings, or even homey ideas like quilts, jewelry, candles, pampering and healing soaps, and plants. it usually also offers locally brewed beer, wine, coffees, chocolates, desserts, pastas, and delicious foods.

While you breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the company of friends and neighbors selling and shopping, it’s also the perfect opportunity to strategically purchase some of what’s in season to incorporate into your meal plan for the upcoming week.

Tip #1 – Find and Visit the Farmers Markets Nearby

As I said earlier, each farmers’ market is different and might not offer what you’re looking for. If you don’t know what’s around you, go to www.localharvest.org and type in your zip code to see what’s available. It might not have everything around you, but it’s a good source to find out about farmers market, as well as local farmers that might have individual stands or sell from the farm, Community Supported Agriculture, CSA’s (like a membership into a regular food purchase), and more.

Tip #2 – Have a Plan for Basics You Want to Get

Once you’ve visited, have a rough idea of what you would like to purchase to reduce your time spent shopping around. On farmers market morning, I usually check my pantry and refrigerator/freezers to have a loose idea of what I’d like to combine with market purchases for potential upcoming meals for the week.

Because they are so beneficial, I almost aways want to get a variety of fresh greens for a variety of meals each day. Those greens will usually end up in salads, power bowls, smoothies, mixed in to various soups and other dishes.

Oftentimes, fruits and vegetables are picked early to be shipped to your chain grocery stores, which can potentially lower nutrient availability. For this reason, I try to buy a lot of my fresh fruits and vegetables at my local markets, because they are picked very close to market day and when they are ripe, giving me access to a higher nutrient density in my purchases and meals.

Other items I prefer getting at my farmers market and including on my weekly meal plan most weeks include:

• Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, etc.)
• Tomatoes (so much tastier when traditionally grown and freshly picked)
• Red peppers (oftentimes cheaper than what I find at the grocery store)
• Melons (tend to be juicier and actually ripe and ready to eat)
• Potatoes and onions (haven’t been sitting on a shelf)
• Sprouts/microgreens (usually a great selection to choose from with flavor variety)
• Colorful selection of other vegetables and fruits to fill upcoming meals (squash, beans, radishes, etc)

Tip #3 – Get to Know Your Area Sellers

My preferred farmers’ market fills roughly a block. I can’t even guess how many booths and businesses are regularly selling their wares.

In the midst of all that collection of businesses, I have my favorites. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about how they do business, grow produce, raise animals or make what they sell.

Expect to develop friendships with both sellers and fellow shoppers that you’ll probably see regularly. There are some really special people you’ll probably find.

Also farmers markets oftentimes have websites with email lists, online groups, or some other way to communicate with regulars.  I follow my local favorite and can keep up on special events, rotating vendors, and even highlighted interviews with various businesses/farmers.

Tip #4 – Expect Some Selections to Change

While this will depend upon where you are located and the farmers markets near you, but if your market is open across multiple seasons, expect fresh produce availability to vary.

This was one of the inspirations for me to explore a wider variety of fruits and vegetables, including many that I didn’t think I liked until I tried them again. Maybe it was because I was a kid or maybe it was the way

Maybe you’ll have a few farmers at the market that will experiment with different varieties or maybe even completely different and maybe unknown (to you) options.

One suggestion is to get on vendor email lists. They’ll often tell you about what they’re planting, what they’re harvesting, and what you’ll have available at upcoming farmers markets. This also includes the makers, fermenters, etc. that will be using their own or purchasing what’s in season to make what they sell

One of my favorite farmers experiments with a wide variety of vegetables that I don’t usually see around here, but I’ve enjoyed some great meals that were highly nutritious, because of the information (and samples) he’s shared at his booth And the recipes and information on emails.

Tip #5 – Come Prepared to Buy

We have “acquired” a lot of canvas bags over the years and they come in handy on market days. I grab a section of my eclectic collection, and my water bottle, and head out. Depending on my plans, I also usually bring my box on wheels so I don’t have to carry everything.

Yes. I am That person with bags and box in tow….But…I do usually park close and unload into the car as I go. Whew!!!

Here are examples of what I usually bring with me to the farmers’ market:

• Heavy Duty, Collapsible Rolling Cart
  
• Stainless Steel Water Bottle
• Canvas bags with good handles usually work best for me
• Sturdy, reusable Grocery Totes
• Insulated Totes for meats, eggs, etc.

Most, well maybe all the vendors I’ve bought from at farmers markets have taken either cash or debit card for payment options, so no surprises here.

After getting in a little sweating detoxing, I head home and it doesn’t take long before someone is cutting into a cantaloupe or real vine-ripened tomato or dropping a roast with some onions and potatoes into a slow cooker for later.

Tip #6 – Eat Your Gatherings

This might go without saying but…don’t forget about what you’ve purchased and find it’s unrecognizable remains a few weeks later. To access as many nutrients, and deliciousness, as possible, plan/make meals that include what you’ve brought home.

We usually target eating raw foods that day through 1-2 days following our purchase. This usually includes various power bowls, salads, wraps, and more. Microgreens will usually last a full week, but we typically go heavy on them the first few days because they’re so crisp and flavorful.

Also, for any purchases that still have roots, like greens and onions from certain vendors I buy from, we quickly get those set up in jars or bowls with the roots in a bit of water.

Tip #7 – Shop, Enjoy a Meal, Make a Memory

While I do recommend having a plan when you head out to the market, I also suggest you plan in a little wiggle room. Whether you give yourself a little extra time to check out the jewelry made by a local craftsman for an upcoming gift, explore those really unique patio chairs that might perfectly solve the problem you and your spouse have been considering for the backyard, or maybe sit for a bit and enjoy those iced watermelon treats while getting to know a few people or enjoying a special time with family, don’t miss this great opportunity to lower your stress level a bit while still getting something done.

Do you have a farmers’ market nearby?

If you decide to check out your local farmers market, I’d love to hear about your experience.