How to Shop at the Farmers’ Market (part 1)
So, in a March 3rd blog I posted this information about shopping at the Farmers’ Market. I thought it was worth reposting as my local markets are in very full swing! I have never seen them as busy...either with vendors or customers. I now get so much of what I eat there I feel very pleased with myself for supporting local businesses. If you haven’t been shopping there, hop on this bandwagon!! Here are some tips to help you get the most from your trip to your local Market:
1. Survey the crowd
At most markets, there will be more than one vendor selling the same things. Before you buy, take a lap around the market, trying samples and using your looking skills to figure out the quality of the produce and to scope out the prices. You don’t want to buy the first pint of blueberries you see, only to find a cheaper, tastier pint at the other end of the market. At my market, though, they tend to have similar prices.
2. Think whole vegetables
Root vegetables like carrots, beets, and radishes are sometimes sold both whole, with greens attached, and trimmed, as a bunch of roots. Always opt for the whole version. They’ll last longer than the trimmed roots, and the greens can be both edible and delicious. Washed carefully, many green tops make a great, earthy pesto, and radish and beet greens can be prepared the same way as chard or kale (maybe sauteed or added to soups and stews). Or, if you juice, they are great for that!
3. Think of what’s in season (or look online with the link below)
When you buy produce out of season you may not be getting the best nutrition as it will have been cold stored and/or traveled a long way to get to you. Although apples can look appealing in warm weather, those apples will have been sitting in industrial refrigerators since they were harvested last fall, losing flavor, texture and nutritional value. This USDA website has a handy seasonal produce guide as well as other great information like how to find farmers markets in your area.
4. Go early
If you’re in a big city, treat the farmers market like brunch: know the hours and try to get there early, or pay the price. Now that my local markets have been “found”, you have to get there early as vendors often sell out of their best products pretty quickly. Last week I had a hard time finding any eggs because I went later than usual. This is especially true of the best quality vendors.
5. Get to know your vendors
The products at a Farmers Market are often going to be different than at a grocery store. Learn how to pick out the tastiest stuff by asking for help. The farmers themselves should be happy to help you pick out good produce. Buy one or two items from a vendor that appeals to you and see how their quality stacks up before you go all in. If it’s as fresh and delicious as you thought it would be you may have just found yourself a favorite vendor. You will get to know the vendors who have the best products when you go regularly. I keep going back to the same produce vendors because of their quality. Same with meat. I go to one vendor for pork and milk and another I refer to as “my chicken man”.
6. Try new things
Your market is very likely to have things you will never find at the grocery store. So why not try them out? Instead of a standard deep purple eggplant, buy a tiny round one or a long pure white eggplant? Instead of plain red radishes, why not watermelon radishes? You may not have any idea what to do with them so ask! They can usually offer ways to cook or eat what you’re buying if you ask the questions. I encountered “Miner’s Lettuce” recently and, when I asked what it was, I was offered a leaf to taste! I bought some immediately. You can get good, fresh versions of what you usually eat, but the market provides a great opportunity to step outside your norm and eat what’s growing nearby.
I have a goal this year to eat at least one fresh vegetable with every meal (yes, even at breakfast!) I can’t do it without having them on hand. Getting to the Farmers’ Market as often as I can really helps. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a few bags and go!