Welcome to Summer! That magical time when everyone is happier, the sun shines brighter, and the fresh food is so abundant! And that fresh food comes to you straight from your local farmers via farmer’s market.
If you’ve been following for a while, you’ve often heard me talking about visiting my local farm for fresh produce. I’m fortunate to live close to a large, local farm, but I understand not everyone is. So – the summertime farmer’s markets will help to solve that problem for half of the year. Most markets from May thru October. In fact, this is also a great time to invest in a CSA to fully reap the benefits of your local farm’s harvests.
But today we are talking about farmer’s markets. Farmer’s markets are a marketplace where many local farmers can sell their products directly to consumers. That means the food you eat is as fresh as can be and the price you pay is as low as it gets. Plus, you are helping to support your local economy.
Farmer’s markets are typically in large parking lots – churches, municipal building, parks, schools, etc – and can feature numerous items. You’ll likely find loads of fresh produce, flowers, herbs, baked goods, jarred items like honey or jams, and even some prepared foods like hummus, salsas or salads. One of our local markets also features fresh meats, local wines & even homemade dog treats (sold separately)!
There isn’t an entrance fee to shop at the market and you can take your time, browse & chat with all of the farmers about their products. Some even offer samples! Bring a reusable bag that you can sling over your shoulder, as you stroll and enjoy the sunshine.
Depending on your region, farmer’s markets can be any day of the week, though you might find more options over the weekend. If you are looking for something specific or popular, consider going first thing to ensure you don’t miss out. However, prices usually drop towards the end of the market hours, as vendors don’t want to lug their stuff back.
Check out additional resources section below for links to possible farmer’s markets near you.
Once you get to know your local farmers, you might even be able to negotiate better deals – you never know until you ask!
The benefits of visiting a farmer’s market are plentiful.
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- First, everything you buy will be fresh & therefore healthier. Nutrients are lost the longer a vegetable is in transit or sits on a grocer’s shelf. Same with fruit. It’s important to eat seasonal foods, because these are the fruits and veggies that your neighborhood farmers can grow for you. They never take a cross country journey or sit for months in a grocer’s stock room ripening. These items are picked when they are ripe, passing on the gift of fresh & healthy fruit/veggies to you.
- Secondly, you’ll enjoy a major cost savings when buying seasonal produce, as the ingredients are all plentiful. And I’d be shocked if you didn’t tell me that they fresh stuff you get from the farmers doesn’t taste better than anything you get out of those bog box stores.
- Third, you’ll be getting all of your weekly produce (& more!) shopping done at once, while enjoying a little natural Vitamin D boost from the Sun.
- And finally, you’ll be keeping your hard-earned money in your community, allowing the farmers to use your money to reinvest back into their farm/soil/products/production/etc to be used and enjoyed for generations to come.
- First, everything you buy will be fresh & therefore healthier. Nutrients are lost the longer a vegetable is in transit or sits on a grocer’s shelf. Same with fruit. It’s important to eat seasonal foods, because these are the fruits and veggies that your neighborhood farmers can grow for you. They never take a cross country journey or sit for months in a grocer’s stock room ripening. These items are picked when they are ripe, passing on the gift of fresh & healthy fruit/veggies to you.
Remember, seasonal eating is one of the easiest ways to maintain a healthy diet. Why? This practice offers the consumer the opportunity to consume fruits and vegetables directly from the farm at their peak of ripeness.
When you visit a farmer’s market, take your time and see what the marketplace has to offer. I like to take my first lap to just see what’s available and plan my strategy. Sometimes I go with a list, often I’ll buy whatever looks best and plan my menu around those beautiful items. If you frequent the same markets every year, you’ll see familiar faces and trustworthy vendors. Talk, get to know your neighbors and ask the farmers questions.
Tips & Tricks for a Successful Shopping Trip:
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- Get there early. Your best selection will be within the first hour. Your best pricing may be within the last hour.
- Take a lap. Don’t buy the first thing you see. You might find a lower price or a better item around the corner.
- Sample. Take advantage of any offered samples so that you get to know the quality of the vendors you may buy from.
- Ask questions. Get to know your vendors. Ask for suggestion on use, easy recipes, trends in preparation, etc. See something you’ve never eaten before – ask he famer – how can I use this? They’ll be happy to share their love of the produce with you.
- Bring your own bag. Maybe vendors have plastic bags to use, but they become hard to carry and create unnecessary waste. Bring a bag (or 2!) you can sling over your shoulder, freeing your hands to examine the products & sample when invited to do so!
- Sign up for newsletters. Some of your local famers offer newsletter in which they offer special recipes, secret deals and other tidbits of information about their products you otherwise wouldn’t know.
Shopping at a farmer’s market is a great way to bring the special items of the season home at an affordable and easy way. A way that also helps to support your local community and keeps your family healthy. Plus, you’ll likely discover some neat treats that have been hiding under your nose all along.
Enjoy & happy eating!
Additional Resources:
Find a Farmer’s Market @ Localharvest.org
Find a Farmer’s Market in the Greater Pittsburgh Region: Good Food Pittsburgh & Visit Pitsburgh
