How to Shop at Farmers Markets
The farmers' market is Chef Sam Talbot's home away from home, and he shares his trade secrets for getting the most out of your trip to browse what your local farmers have on offer. From the best time to buy produce to creating great relationships with the farmers themselves, learn all you need to know to come home from the market with a (reusable) bag brimming with the season's best.
-
Step 1: Info Booth
The first thing to do at a farmer's market is go to the information booth. They will provide charts and maps which will give you the lay of the land so you can figure out who has what and where.
-
Step 2: Don't Rush
Set aside some time when you go the idea is to enjoy yourself and see and maybe sample as much as you can.
-
Step 3: Discipline
Don't buy a thing until you have seen all your options. So often people buy a bunch at the first booth only to find better stuff a moment later.
-
Step 4: 2-Week Rule
Avoid buying fruits and veggies in the first two weeks of their seasons; if you wait until the third and fourth week, the prices drop dramatically -- then buy in bulk and freeze.
-
Step 5: Au Naturale
It is a Farmer's Market -- the stuff is from the farm so if you see dirt or bugs don't worry, it's natural. Literally.
-
Step 6: Make Friends
Try and establish relationships with vendors, in addition to demonstrating you possess healthy social skills, these folks will take care of you if they like you. Besides who doesn’t need a “cucumber guy?”
Step 1: Info Booth
The first thing to do at a farmer's market is go to the information booth. They will provide charts and maps which will give you the lay of the land so you can figure out who has what and where.
Step 2: Don't Rush
Set aside some time when you go the idea is to enjoy yourself and see and maybe sample as much as you can.
Step 3: Discipline
Don't buy a thing until you have seen all your options. So often people buy a bunch at the first booth only to find better stuff a moment later.
Step 4: 2-Week Rule
Avoid buying fruits and veggies in the first two weeks of their seasons; if you wait until the third and fourth week, the prices drop dramatically -- then buy in bulk and freeze.
Step 5: Au Naturale
It is a Farmer's Market -- the stuff is from the farm so if you see dirt or bugs don't worry, it's natural. Literally.
Step 6: Make Friends
Try and establish relationships with vendors, in addition to demonstrating you possess healthy social skills, these folks will take care of you if they like you. Besides who doesn’t need a “cucumber guy?”
Items You'll Need
- Large Bag
- Comfortable Shoes
- Cash
Add a Comment
17 Comments
The first place to go is your city officials to get them to make sure these are REAL farmers. Most are not. Then go to a REAL Farmers Market if your city is big enough to have one. REAL farmers markets traditionally are places farmers can sell their produce for more than the wholesalers give them, but less than the Super Markets. If the prices at the Farmers Market in your town are more than the Super Market, then their not real Farmers Markets. Their just con artists who buy from the same wholesalers as the Super Markets. Look at the boxes behind the stand. As for the few who want to get rich from their 10X20 backyard garden, get your prices in line with REAL Farmers Markets.
March 18 2013 at 12:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyA lot of sellers at Farmers Markets buy their produce from a dealer and do not grow the product they are selling. Look at the boxes around or behind the stand, that can tell you a lot about where the produce came from.
March 18 2013 at 11:16 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThe Farmers Markets in my area charge as much as if not more then the Super Market!!!
March 18 2013 at 9:28 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyEnjoy those reuseable bags.
October 08 2012 at 5:43 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWarning: Your reusable grocery bags can become ... - CasesBlog casesblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/warning-your-reusable-grocery-bags-can.html
Jul 27, 2012 ... Warning: Your reusable grocery bags can become contaminated with bacteria. 97% of shoppers admit they never wash their reusable grocery ...
The farmers market here in Salem, Or have the same price no mater what tent you go to, also there idems are clean and at about same price that you could go to the store.
October 07 2012 at 10:57 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyCooks are exactly what they are Cooks ! Have they every grown any thing or sold at a farmers market ?
October 07 2012 at 8:36 PM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down ReplyI AM SICK AND TIRED OF YOU ALWAYS BLOCKING MY COMMENTS. JUST DELETE MY NAME FROM YOUR HOKEY SITE.
October 07 2012 at 11:21 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyRIGHT.AND **** YOU
October 07 2012 at 11:17 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyGood point about seeing a little dirt on produce. Imported produce is usually cleaned really well before shipping. A little dirt almost says fresh, local picked.
October 07 2012 at 11:05 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyREAL Farmers Markets are where you can buy fresh produce for less than the Super Market. The farmer bypass's the wholesaler and makes more selling direct, but it's still less than the Super Market. Beware of the clip joint fake Farmers Market's. How do you tell the difference?? Simple, look at their boxes. If their food cartons have the same name as what their selling, they bought the stuff at the local produce row, just like the regular markets. At REAL Farmers Markets some people do this, but they don't have the overhead of the Super Market, so they pass the savings on to the consumer. Local??? Remember there are seasons. You can't buy local what doesn't grow local. No tomato's in Chicago in November. And of course price. Scam Farmers Markets are the rage nationwide.
October 07 2012 at 10:12 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyYou are correct.....I worked at Certified Farmers Mkts for over 16 yrs and most the products are just bought at local produce houses and just resold to the ignorant public. And, the "organic" produce was not organic.
March 18 2013 at 9:20 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply