The Farmer's Market Survival Guide

 

Your local grocery store may seem like the pinnacle of produce selection, but we’re here to tell you that it doesn’t get better than straight from a farmer’s market. Besides being a great way to support the local economy, it’s also a top-notch way get in on the local food community. If you don’t exactly frequent farmer’s markets, they can be a little intimidating on the first go. So, we’ve compiled a few tips and tricks to help make navigating them easier.

ANY TIME’S A GOOD TIME TO START

Maybe you’ve never had the chance to go to a farmer’s market. If you get the opportunity, take it. Eating locally is good for you, good for the environment, and it’s the easiest way to know you’ve got the freshest seasonal produce in your fridge. There are plenty of sites dedicated to helping you find your local farmer’s market. The Daily Green and Local Harvest are great places to start your search.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Just like trips to the grocery store, it’s a good idea to make a general list of what you need from the farmer’s market. Unlike trips to the grocery store, it’s also a good idea to keep an open mind, because you're bound to come across new and interesting ingredients. A good rule of thumb, of course, is shopping and eating by what’s in season. This seasonal ingredient map from Epicurious is an awesome resource and lets you search by month and state.

BYOB

Bring your own bag, that is. Or satchel. Or canvas tote. Whatever the carrier, make sure it’s got comfortable handles. A separate pocket for delicate things like herbs and berries might help, too. The reusable bags at EcoBags certainly fit the farmer’s market criteria. Oh, and bring cash. It’s possible there are some merchants who accept credit and debit cards, but cash in small bills is your safest bet.

GET THERE EARLY

Farmer’s markets are frequently a weekend thing. And we know weekends are prime time for sleeping in, but getting up even an hour earlier means you get the pick of the produce. Arrive early to shop around for the best deals and quality and grab rare items before they run out. Strawberries just coming into season, for instance, are easier to get if you start shopping sooner. Trick of the trade, don’t hit snooze.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BOUNTY

The best part about shopping at a farmer’s market is getting to load your fridge with the freshest ingredients possible. Keep them in peak form until you’re ready to eat them with these helpful tips from Rachel Tayse at Hounds in the Kitchen. Or, check out these tips on how to store produce without using plastic from the fine folks at My Plastic-Free Life.

MAKE FRIENDS WITH FARMERS

Who better to get produce tips from than the person who grows it? Don’t be shy to talk to farmers. They’ll give you the inside scoop from cooking suggestions to new ingredients to try. Plus, many of them have newsletters or a presence on social media. So, you can stay on top of the latest info, whether it’s recipes, activities, or what’s coming to market next week.
To any farmer’s market regulars out there, how’d we do? Did we leave out any helpful tidbits? Feel free to chime in below!