Farmers Market Shopping
I love shopping at the Farmers Market and have for years. But what I find difficult is staying focused. So many times I get swept away in the colors, and the samples, the people watching, and the atmosphere. I end up buying things our family then lets go to waste.
But, now that the kids are out of school for the summer and sports activities have mellowed on the weekends, I’m trying to renew our trips to the market. But this time, instead of wandering the aisles with eyes wide, we’re making a plan.
#1 What does your local Farmers Market have to offer?
Farmers markets come in all shapes and sizes. From small seasonal weekend markets, to year-round extensive markets. Try to find a market in your area that offers food items such as artisan breads, local honey, cheeses, milk, eggs, and grass fed meats. Check out Local Harvest to find farmers markets near you. There may be one that you didn’t know about! Also make a point to understand which markets offer stalls with a good number of ‘growers’ rather than ‘resellers’. Ask questions if you’re uncertain.
#2 Get Organized
Grab your No More To Go grocery list for the week and a highlighter. We need to figure out what we can purchase at the market and what we’ll have to grab at the grocery. Here in Dallas, we have an extensive selection of foods beyond produce,but I try to keep in mind is my budget because the local meats and dairy, while packed with health benefits, are substantially more expensive than their grocery store counterparts. I usually focus on a couple of cuts of meat and honey, but then focus on the produce.
#3 Know what’s Local and be Flexible
Know your local and seasonal produce and steer clear of national brands. This goes back to knowing whether a stall or booth is a ‘grower’ or a ‘reseller’. In our area, staple produce like carrots and potatoes are not grown locally and are simply grocery store items that sometimes over priced. On the other hand, local produce such as heirloom tomatoes, corn, and colorful beets can be less expensive than at the grocery store. So, be selective and flexible enough to substitute based on availability of local choices.
#3 Be Prepared
Be sure to have cash on hand. Very few vendors will take check or credit card. And ask questions. If a vendor is selling baskets of 8 tomatoes and you know your family won’t eat that many, ask if they can sell you half. Many will break a basket – some will not. But it’s definitely worth asking. And don’t forget to bring bags with you to haul all your produce home!
#5 Have Fun!
Taste, taste, and taste some more. And encourage your kids to do the same. My daughter, who for years said she didn’t like oranges, suddenly loved them when offered a slice at the market. Then, go ahead and splurge on that bottle of local honey. Or grab those fun little yellow beets you’ve never seen before. You’ll put them to use – I’ll show you how! Have fun. Enjoy the atmosphere of smiling faces and the hustle and bustle of passing through the stalls with your family. Hopefully, you’ll become a fixture at your famers market!