The easiest way to be sure you’re eating fresh and ‘locally’ is to visit your farmers market. It can be a wonderful — and sometimes daunting — experience. With all the choices and varieties it can be tough to know where to start. For those willing but hesitant, here are a few important tips to help spur you on:
Market schedules
Print out a schedule of all your local farmers markets and keep it handy, for example on your refrigerator, as a reminder so you can plan visits to those located near your workplace, home or school. This saves both time and fuel and can help make shopping the market part of your routine.
Seasonal varieties
Do a little research on what’s in season so you have some idea of what to expect. Knowing what is in season — or about to be in season — will help your planning process and make shopping decisions easier.
When to get there
Seasoned shoppers know that you have to get to the market early for the best picks. Farmers often run out of items toward the end of the day. On the other hand, the best deals can be had later in the day. It’s ok to bargain for ‘leftovers’ that may be less than perfect; many farmers would rather discount items rather than loading them back onto a truck.
What to bring
Bring large cloth bags, plenty of cash in small bills, and a tote basket with wheels to help save your back and make shopping easier. You may also want to bring an insulated bag for delicate produce.
Menu planning
Check your stores and plan some meals ahead of time so you manage your selections and prevent waste. The vast displays of colorful, fresh produce can be seductive, tempting us to take more than we need or may be able to use before it goes bad. Plus you’ll know what ingredients you have or need to buy. If possible, don’t go to the market hungry!
The exception to this rule would be buying in volume if you plan to can, freeze, dry or preserve foods for later use. This can be a cost cutting strategy as well as a way to enjoy seasonal foods at various times of the year.
Walking the market
If you can, do a quick walk through the market to get the lay of the land. There will undoubtedly be some ‘surprises’ you may not want to miss and you’ll have a chance to plan your course through the maze of stalls.
Ask questions
One of the most rewarding experiences of a farmers market is getting to know your local purveyors who are usually anxious to share their wisdom, tips and recipes. The more you know about the products displayed, the more informed your buying decisions will be. You can also let the farmers know what you’re looking for which helps them decide what items to offer.
Buy local
If this is of particular concern to you, simply ask whether a certain product is ‘locally grown.’ There are some markets that allow for non-local products (produced outside a certain radius of travel). Keep in mind that the definition of ‘local’ is broad and so you’ll have to decide for yourself what is acceptable.
Cost
The fact is that buying from a farmers market isn’t necessarily more economical than buying from your retail market. And prices from one market may vary from another according to different socio-economic areas (for example, uptown vs downtown). If cost is a key factor, you may want to compare.
In general, there are many good reasons for shopping at a farmers market. And most would agree that the quality and freshness of the food, the connection to local sources, and the relationships formed with those who grow our food are reason enough.
To keep your produce and food fresher longer, check out our top of the line refrigeration systems at http://www.athertonappliance.com/refrigeration.
Click Here To Submit A News Tip Or Story