Embrace the Bounty: Navigate the Farmers Market Like a Pro
10 tips for farmers market success
As the days grow longer and the sun a little brighter, there’s no better way to embrace the warmer weather than a trip to your local farmers market.
Attending a farmers market is a cultural and communal experience that brings people together to enjoy and appreciate locally grown (and delicious!) food. The experience alone can transform a chore like grocery shopping into a vibrant community gathering, a celebration of seasonal flavors, and an opportunity to connect with the farmers and artisans who bring fresh, local goodness to our tables.
Take your time to wander through the stalls, soaking up the cornucopia of sights, sounds, and smells. While you still might have to deal with lines and crowds, you’ll get fresh air, sunlight, and — best of all — fresh, seasonal food that was harvested by growers you (can get to) know!
Continue reading for 10 tips and product recommendations to make your next trip to the farmers market a more fruitful experience.
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1. Consider your transportation.
While we love the idea of walking or biking to the farmers market, we also know that’s not always a convenient option, especially considering family size, distance, weather, or how much product you plan to purchase.
If you have a larger family, or plan to stock up, consider a collapsible wagon that won’t take up too much space in the trunk, but is sturdy (and large) enough to carry your goods or tired kids if it’s a long day.
If you’re biking, try a basket or side saddle, and of course, if it’s raining, don’t forget the umbrella and rain jackets — many vendors set up rain or shine!
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2. Don’t forget to BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag)!
Carry a canvas tote with you, reuse plastic bags, or bring an insulated bag or cooler (with ice packs!) if it’s hot, or you plan to purchase meat, milk, and other perishables that require refrigeration.
Bring your own produce bags to keep small loose items like brussels sprouts or berries contained.
PRO TIP Before you leave, check to see if you have egg cartons, glass milk bottles, or other recyclable containers to return to their respective vendors — farmers reuse, recycle, or compost these items, and appreciate the returns!
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3. Come prepared with cash and buy in advance when you can.
Many farms offer buy-ahead option for market customers. By reserving your products ahead of the market, you’ll get a better selection and will never need to worry about standing in line or missing out on the last item on your shopping list.
GrownBy makes advance buying simple; if your favorite farms aren’t part of it yet, invite them to list products this season.
Bring some cash. While many vendors now accept credit and debit cards, we advise you to have some cash on hand just in case.
PRO TIP Carry smaller bills like ones and fives, and even some loose change to make transactions easier for you and the vendors.
4. Be curious & ask questions.
Most farmers love talking about their farming practices! If you visit a new market, or it’s your first trip of the season, stop by and say hello to every vendor. Ask about their growing practices, production methods, and future produce.
Even if you don’t initially see what you’re looking for or are interested in, a vendor might have a unique fruit, vegetable, or value-added item that will be available later in the season. Because growers are intimately familiar with their crops, they often have tips for how to best store and prepare them.
5. Keep your kids engaged.
Remember this isn’t another trip to the grocery store! The farmers market is a fantastic opportunity to teach kids about seasonal eating and the importance of supporting local agriculture.
As you gather your goodies, encourage your family to try new things. Sample a slice of juicy fruit, nibble on a freshly baked pastry, or savor a sample of local honey. Exploring new flavors is part of the fun!
PRO TIP If you find your children dragging their feet and think that going to the farmers market is a chore, make it a game instead! Let them pick out an ingredient each week that you can build a meal around, or ask them to count how many different fruits and vegetables they can find. “Veggie Bingo or a market-related scavenger hunt is a fun way to engage kids and familiarize them with different fruits and vegetables and what they look like.
6. Respect the people and the products.
Farmers markets can get crowded, especially on the weekends. Be mindful of others, and avoid blocking stalls or aisles with bikes and bags. Be patient when waiting in line, and don’t cut in front of others!
Handle the produce gently, as squeezing or tossing the produce might bruise it, making it difficult for vendors to sell.
PRO TIP One of the primary purposes of going to a farmers market is to support local agriculture. Spread the wealth with several vendors, rather than a single one — find a vendor meat and eggs, another for milk and cheese, and a few more for seasonal produce.
7. Properly store your goods to extend shelf life.
One of the many perks of purchasing your produce from farmers markets is that it is fresh. Many farms pick their products the morning of, so it will last much longer than the produce at the grocery store that may have traveled thousands of miles, or sat on the shelf for several days.
There are a few ground rules that one should follow to properly store produce that can help prolong its shelf life. Having the right (reusable!) containers and storage options not only prolongs the lifespan of your perishables, but can help organize limited space more efficiently.
Refer to the graphic below for a quick guide to proper produce storage, and head here for detailed instructions to help maximize shelf life and minimize food waste.
8. Prep, cook & enjoy your bounty.
Cooking is another activity the entire family can participate in! Prep work and cooking are translatable skills that teach children how to feed themselves nourishing, whole foods while instilling an appreciation for the time and effort that goes into making meals.
Encourage your family to get involved and delegate appropriate tasks —whether you let your children choose the recipe, prep the produce (with kid-friendly tools, of course), or man the pans, there’s bound to be a task for everyone.
9. Compost food scraps.
Reduce food waste as much as possible. Have a dedicated “leftover” night to clear out the fridge; send leftovers home with dinner guests; freeze what you can; compost food scraps into nutrient-rich soil conditioner for your own yard, or give back to your local farm.
Your city and even some local farms likely have a compost program. You may want to consider starting your own compost pile — another activity that can serve as a valuable learning experience.
While you can get started immediately with just a bucket or bowl, there are countless compost buckets that fit seamlessly into kitchens of any size.
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10. Subscribe for the season
Farmers markets aren’t the only way connect with growers and support your local food system. You might consider joining a community supported agriculture (CSA) program where you receive farm-fresh products for a certain amount of time while supporting a local farm. If you’re weary of crowd or just don’t want to have to go from stall to stall, a CSA is local food on autopilot — a scheduled delivery or pickup of great food each week.
CSA Programs usually ask the community to pay the cost of the share at the beginning of the season, or in installments. The upfront cost helps farmers pay operating costs so their customers, or shareholders, get to enjoy a variety of fresh farm products.
Find a local farm near you.
GrownBy is like having the farmers market in your pocket so you can find and purchase farm products from anywhere, anytime. Our farmers offer different pick-up times and locations, and some even offer delivery — you can’t get more convenience than that!
Memorable meals and strong communities begin with GrownBy.
By directly linking growers with customers, GrownBy makes it possible for everyone to eat local. Build your farm shop on the GrownBy Marketplace for free or start shopping at your local farms.
Grow with us at @farmgenerationscoop and @grownbyapp.
