How to Shop at the Farmers Market
It’s about to be farmers market season again! It’s one of my favorite times of the year. I love visiting my local farmers market, because there is so much variety and I love getting to chat with the vendors. But I didn’t always feel that way. I used to think the farmers market was a closed secret, where you had to know the secret rituals in order to shop there successfully. Shopping at the farmers market can feel intimidating and scary, but it doesn’t have to be. It isn’t an exclusive club, and anyone can enjoy a great experience at their farmers market.
Here are my 5 tips to beat farmers market anxiety and make sure you’re getting the most out of your visit.
1. Use your online resources! Many local farmers markets have information online to help you prepare before you go. This isn’t a necessity, so don’t worry if your local market doesn’t offer this, or even if you don’t have time to scope it out beforehand. If you do have the opportunity, you may be able to see which vendors will be available and what kind of products they have, which will let you be more prepared when you get there. My local farmers market even has a map, showing where each specific vendor will be located so I can find exactly what I need.
2. Take reusable bags! Some of the vendors will offer plastic bags, but not all of them will have good options for carrying your meat or produce. I like to take some reusable bags with me, including an insulated bag that’s waterproof and keeps meat cold if I’m planning to stock up on locally-raised beef or pork. It keeps me from having to worry about how I’m going to carry my purchases, and it allows me to have hands free to pick up the produce I want at the next vendor. Like the first tip, you can still have a good experience without reusable bags, but they make your trip just a little bit easier if you bring them with you.
3. Talk to the vendors! This is the best part of the farmers market. The vendors want to talk to you! They love what they do, which is why they’re selling at the farmers market. They can tell you how food was grown or raised, what varieties they offer, and even their favorite preparation and cooking methods for the food they produce. I’ve gotten some great tips on preparing things I wasn’t familiar with from the vendors, because they have a lot of experience with the foods they sell. From more exotic foods to more familiar ones, like pawpaws (not papayas!) to kale to different types of squash, I’ve gotten great cooking ideas from chatting with the vendors.
4. Ask about benefits and programs, including EBT and CSA! Some farmers markets offer benefits, and for those that don’t, some individual vendors may offer benefits. My local farmers market, for example, will match the amount of someone’s SNAP benefit, so they get twice the amount of food for their dollar. It’s an incredible program for the community! Other farmers markets may have individual vendors who accept benefits like these, but they may not be offered through the farmers market as a whole. There are also individual vendors who may have options like a CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture. This means you pay them a certain amount, often a flat fee at the beginning of the season, and then you get a box of fresh, in-season produce or meat at a certain frequency. The one I like best has a box of just-picked produce every week through the growing season, and it’s often more veggies than my family can eat in a week.
5. Keep an open mind! Whether it’s a food you haven’t tried before or just an experience that’s new to you, be open to adventure. The vendors are mostly friendly, engaging people doing what they are passionate about. They want to share their passion with you – their business depends on it, and they love what they do! Whether you go by yourself or find a friend who wants to visit with you, a trip to the farmers market can be great fun. Every week is someone’s first week at the farmers market, and this week it might just be your turn.
Now that it’s almost farmers market season, I hope you consider checking out your local market. It’s great to know that your money is staying local, and that your food is grown and produced locally as well. While the farmers market can feel intimidating, you don’t need to know everything before you get there. I learn something new almost every time I visit, because the vendors always have knowledge to share about the products they offer. You never know what new thing you might find! Whether it’s locally made soap or locally grown pumpkins, there’s something for everyone at the farmers market.