Photo courtesy of Rich Bowen and flickr
Farmers’ markets are popping up across the country, and they’re a great way to support your local community. I’m fortunate enough to live in an area surrounded by markets during the growing season, but I still know plenty of people who are unfamiliar with how they operate. Here are a few things I’ve learned after attending several markets through the years – if you have any more tips, feel free to leave them in the comments.
Bring Cash – Plastic and checks are acceptable at most places, but cash is still king at the farmers’ market. It makes sense – open air markets don’t have electric outlets for card readers, and waiting for a check to clear delays payments. I’ve been to some markets where you can make a card or check payment in exchange for market-only tokens, but experiences like this are few and far between. Save everyone time and aggravation by hitting the ATM before the produce stalls.
Go Early for the Best Produce - Much to the dismay of night owls like myself, farmers’ markets are an early morning affair. (If anyone knows of afternoon or night markets, please contact me – katherine@aboundlesslife.com.) Still, losing a bit of sleep is well worth it when it comes to quality produce. It’s extremely fresh – picked within a few days of the market, if not the day of – and there will be plenty of it before the crowds hit. If you can, get there early. You won’t regret it.
Go Late for the Best Prices - Ah, but here is where we nocturnals get our revenge. The last hour or so of a farmers’ market may see depleted stock, but it also sees prices come way, way down. Most farmers seem more than happy to discount their wares at the end of the day, so it’s a great time to get some good deals on fresh, local food.
Ask Questions - You will not be bothering anyone, provided that you don’t interrupt or push ahead of other customers. Every merchant I’ve ever spoken with at a market has been excited to discuss their wares, offer suggestions and share recipes. Don’t know what that strange looking vegetable is? Want to know how these tomatoes are grown? Not sure if this cheese is better on its own or tossed into a recipe? Chances are that the seller knows all this and more.
Don’t Be Afraid of Imperfect Specimens - The supermarket has conditioned most of us to expect produce that looks picture perfect – tomatoes are round, red and unblemished; carrots are straight, narrow and orange. You’ll need to set all of those expecations aside as soon as you enter the market. Flip through some heirloom vegetable catalogs to get an idea of what you may see, and don’t shy away from veggies with “odd” lumps and bumps. Some of the best carrots I’ve ever had were relegated to the bargain bin because they’d been passed over by pickier patrons. Besides, no one will notice once you’ve added it to your meal. That said…
Alert the Farmer to Any Problems - Because most farmers work directly with the food they produce, they’re generally more likely to catch produce that is bad or meat, eggs or cheese that has spoiled. However, that doesn’t mean that they’re omnipotent. If you notice something that seems off – either at the stall or once you get home – make an effort to let them know. They’ll appreciate your honesty and can use the information to check for more problems.
Offer To Volunteer - If you’re interested in local food or small farms, why not ask if you can help out? Not all farmers have volunteer programs, but it never hurts to ask if you can assist at the farm or the stand. You’ll help strengthen a small business, and it’s a great way to learn about agriculture, animal husbandry, herbalism and much more.
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