Wondering how to shop farmers markets to get the most out of them? Learn all about how to get the most out of your wonderful produce with these top 6 farmer’s market tips.
There’s no doubt about it, a visit to the local farmers market is a great way to spend a summer morning. A kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and a mix of earthy scents awaits you. But sometimes this can be a problem. It’s tempting to think of your farmers market as more of an outdoor art exhibit than a shopping experience. And it can be a challenge to figure out what to do with so many unusual fruits and vegetables, from purple carrots to wild greens. No wonder you often spy empty-handed “window shoppers” at farmers’ markets. But before you panic, take heart. Your local farmer’s market can serve as inspiration for delicious, healthy meals focused on whole, plant-based foods year-round. And farmers markets offer many more benefits than meets the eye.
“The fundamental benefit of a farmers’ market is one that is less visible and perhaps most poignant in today’s polar environment: farmers’ markets keep the tax base closer to home. Dollars spent locally with vendors that grow and operate in a local community benefit a local community,” says Amanda Archibald, RD, dietitian and founder of Field to Plate, a food education company focused on sustainable, fresh food .
Archibald explains that farmers markets also allow you to engage in a conversation about food. When you visit a farmer’s market stand, you can ask the farmer where and how he grew the food. This is hard to do in the supermarket produce aisle. Best of all? “Farmers markets offer nutrient-dense, flavorful foods that are harvested just hours before you buy them. “Most farmers’ markets bring food to your plate without a ‘sell by’ date,” says Archibald. If your fridge is stocked with nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables, chosen for their flavor and peak nutrients, you’re more likely to include more antioxidant-rich, disease-protecting fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.
With so many reasons to shop at your local farmers market, it’s time to plan your next trip with this handy guide. Wondering where to find the nearest farmers market? Visit the USDA list of farmers markets here.
Top 6 Tips for Shopping Farmers Markets
Try these tips to make your next farmers market shopping experience a success.
1. Buy product you like
While it’s great to try new things, it’s also important to consider which fruits and vegetables and how much your family will eat during the week to reduce food waste. So start with familiar products that will make everyone happy.
2. Do some pre-planning
If you are not a cook who can learn to prepare any product bring home, find out what’s in season before visiting the farmers market so you’re prepared with some basic ideas about the ingredients you’ll want to buy for your favorite dishes. For example, if you want to make a stir-fry this week, think about the vegetables that will go well with that dish.
3. Keep it fresh
Once you get home with your produce bounty, keep it fresh with these tips:
- Soak all leafy greens and then pat dry before storing in the refrigerator.
- Put the berries in the refrigerator and wash just before serving.
- If the fruit is very ripe, eat immediately or slow ripening by refrigerating (note that refrigeration can make some fruits, such as peaches, mealy).
- Plan to enjoy the most perishable produce first, such as leafy greens, berries, stone fruits, mushrooms, and peas, and save the more storage-friendly foods, such as potatoes, carrots, beets, celery, cabbage, citrus fruits, apples, for use later in the week .
4. Make Easy Farmers Market Meals
Turn any seasonal fruit or vegetable purchase into a sparkling success with these culinary techniques:
- Drizzle a simple vinaigrette dressing over beautiful salad greens.
- Prepare greens by boiling, steaming or sauteing with a little olive oil, herbs and garlic.
- Roast a variety of fresh summer vegetables (as well as winter root vegetables) in a shallow, ovenproof dish. drizzle with a simple dressing and bake at 400 F until crisp.
- Keep berries fresh by freezing them or making jams and jellies to extend the season.
- Preserve stone fruits such as plums, peaches or cherries by freezing or canning – to be enjoyed all year round.
5. Waste No!
If you end up buying too much produce, plan to preserve it or share it with a friend or neighbor before it goes bad. If it breaks before you can use it, compost it and give it back to the Earth it came from. Learn more about composting in my free garden toolkit here and see my tips for reducing food waste here.
6. Stock up on Farmer Market Friendly Cookbooks
Include some great cookbooks that focus on fruits and vegetables in your library, including my own California Vegan. Here are some other classic cookbooks to check out:
Farmers Market Recipes
Try these easy, healthy, delicious recipes for inspiration from farmers.
Cinnamon apple oatmeal with pistachios
Celery juice with fresh rosemary
Pesto Fusili pasta salad with corn and tomatoes
Radish salad with melon and pumpkin seeds
Vegetable soup with barley stone
Blueberry Buckwheat Bowl with Rosemary Balsamic Vinaigrette
The best avocado toast ever
Lime Dill Roasted Asparagus
Italian Zucchini Boxes with Vegan Pesto
Strawberry Coconut Almond Coffee Cake
Check out these blogs about farmers markets and local food:
Written by Sharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN
Main image: Ojai Farmers Market
