How to Shop at a Farmers Market
With a little preparation, you can get the most out of your local market.
Up next in Food Preparation Tips, Tricks, & Techniques (79 videos)
Start cooking like a top chef with the step by step food prep instructions in this Howcast video series.
You Will Need
- A shopping list
- A willingness to ask questions
- Knowledge of local neighborhoods
Steps
-
Step 1
Make a shopping list of produce that's in season, so that you have a guide as you shop the stalls.
-
Search online or in cookbooks to come up with a few ideas for meals you can make with what you expect to find.
-
Step 2
If you want the best selection, get there early. But if you'd rather score a deal, arrive late. Farmers don't like to head home with extra inventory, so they often offer discounts as closing time approaches.
-
The same vendors often sell at several markets in the same city or county, scaling prices based on the affluence of the neighborhood.
-
Step 3
Don't come to the farmers market hungry – you're more likely to impulse buy. Buy a snack at the market before you start shopping, if you're starving.
-
Step 4
Walk around the whole market once without buying anything, so you can compare prices and quality. Often, a few vegetables and fruits will dominate, but their quality and prices can vary widely from vendor to vendor. Adjust your shopping list based on what is available.
-
Step 5
Make a second tour of the market, picking up whatever you've decided on.
-
If you see produce you're interested in, but are hesitant to buy it because you're not sure how to prepare it, ask the vendor for cooking tips.
-
Step 6
If you have a favorite fruit or vegetable that will be in season soon, ask a few of the vendors when they're expecting their crop and whether they think this will be a good year for it. The more abundant the item, the less you can expect to pay for it.
-
If you're feeding a large family, ask farmers about buying in bulk to save money.
-
Step 7
Hurry home so you can make a mouthwatering meal with all that farm-fresh produce!
-
Sales by farmers directly to household consumers rose 49 percent from 2002 to 2007.
