Top 10 Mistakes Made by Farmers Market Newbs

If you haven't spent much time at farmers markets, I know they can be a bit intimidating. Locals always know exactly where to go and what to buy, and seem to possess some kind of secret, cult-like knowledge of seasonal favorites and exclusive deals.

How is a farmers market noobie supposed to sort through the piles of exotic vegetables without feeling like an trespasser?

The reality is this: Farmers market fans can indeed be fanatical (I know I am), but the farmers themselves couldn't be more friendly and welcoming. Here are my top 10 tips for fitting in at the farmers market and getting the most from being a locavore.

 

What are your farmers' market tips?

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Showing up at a farmers market in the late morning means big crowds and picked-over produce. Beat the rush by going early and getting the best of the season. Morning light is also best for snapping pictures, if you're into that sorta thing. (Photo from Flickr: blakespot)

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Showing up at a farmers market in the late morning means big crowds and picked-over produce. Beat the rush by going early and getting the best of the season. Morning light is also best for snapping pictures, if you're into that sorta thing.

(Photo from Flickr: blakespot)

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Emily Olson said on 28 Wednesday 2010 pm30 9:43 pm: Great tips! I also try to bring a few bags to the market, that way as I shop, I can strategically put the heavy stuff in the bottom, and layer the lighter, delicate items on top. It took one trip and too many smooshed strawberries to learn this lesson. :) Eventually as you get to know the market, you know to stock up on apples, potatoes, etc first!

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What are your favorite farmers market tips?

The original article can be found at EcoSalon. Follow EcoSalon on Twitter @EcoSalon

Darya is a scientist, foodie and advocate of local, seasonal foods. For more healthy eating tips visit her blog Summer Tomato.

 

Follow Darya Pino, Ph.D on Twitter: www.twitter.com/summertomato

Comments

[nanooknw]

11:31 PM on 07/23/2010

I would like to submit my hometown farmer's market open every Sat from 10AM to 2PM.
Right on the Sound in Des Moines, WA .
The usual fresh and organic produce and grass fed beef, fresh seafood, local goat cheese, breads,
salsa. It also has some of the most amazing floral arangements! All that and a sound view!

[SneathLane]

09:31 PM on 07/12/2010

I like going through the local green market after work - there are bargains at the end of the day, the crowds have dwindled, and it's a friendly place. If the greens are a bit wilted - slicing off the stem ends and putting them in water when I get home perks them right back up. Just the sights and sounds of the market cheer me up after a hard day at the office.

[Timothy Knight]

01:27 PM on 07/07/2010

I prefer serious markets like the Haymarket in Boston. The produce is actually affordable. A lot of the stuff looks great at the farmers market, but some of the prices are crazy. I do not make enough to afford that kind of food, so I like the more strait foward farmers stands, that sell their stuff at good prices strait from their farm. Better to have farm fresh Veggies, then not have the organic shiny stuff from the Farmers Market.

[Carmeniris]

01:51 PM on 07/02/2010

I sell at a Farmer's Market and I agree most of the suggestions are great. I would like to add a few. If the sellers tells you they use organic methods (most of us are too poor to go through the expense and paperwork of certification) ask the person if they use Miracle Grow for their ornamentals, if they say yes, chances are they use it for their edibles also. Much as I want to tell you the person in the stall next to mine is faking it, I can't unless I want to be kicked out. True organics would get rash by just by saying the words. If you are my customer and you tell me you are having financial problems, I will give you a discount. Just don't tell anyone else. I hate plastic bags but many customers want them even for just one item. In my market, you will see a lot of Walmart bags because there's one in town and people recycle by bring them to us. I make fabric bags and, yes, they are expensive since I can't buy fabric of the quality I use at bulk prices (and I don't make garbage) but I make very little for my labor. If there's a vegetable you love and never see, tell me because I grow uncommon ones for my use that few people will buy or I will try to grow it for the next year (short growing season).

[beau10]

12:51 PM on 07/03/2010

I used to have a yearly garden and truly know the effort needed to get those veggies and fruits onto the table. You cannot imagine how many times, after looking at the insect ravages of my poor little fellows, I have gazed at the sky and wondered what I ever did to p...off the Big Guy so badly that he needed to exact such revenge.
I have great respect and admiration for the gardeners of my local farmer's market. The local-grown has nutritional value lost by petrochemical factory-farming product.
I buy produce, dairy milk and yogurt (the best you could taste) and other goodies at my local farmer's market. These people deserve every dollar they make.

[fiestyslug]

05:18 PM on 06/21/2010

These are great tips. I have been on the other side, selling my father's apples and my own fresh picked flowers. Another tip would be if you do not see what you want, tell a farmer. We are always looking for what the consumer wants - they may raise it next year if you ask.

[Supernatural Botanicals]

07:11 AM on 06/19/2010

In Cincinnati, people bring their dogs to the farmer's market. I've never experienced any problems with them being there. In fact, they sort of add to the appeal. ...and I agree with getting there early. It's the key to great farmer's marketing.

[rayoflightinaseaoffog]

01:25 AM on 06/30/2010

Taking a dog or other pet on a day when there are few people can be ok where allowed but on weekends + other days when crowds may be present keep your beloved companion at home where he/she is safe. Even in cars they may be in danger if you get distracted and the sun climbs too high. In crowds they could be crushed or eat something not safe for them.

[nikanj]

09:35 PM on 07/03/2010

Our Market definitely has a 'no dogs' policy,
instituted after more than one dog fight broke out.
And also, too, there have been instances of dogs, um,
lifting their legs and ruining a vendor's display . . .

[coldwatermd]

10:54 PM on 06/16/2010

Perfect timing! Our farmers' market in Brookline, MA, opens tomorrow.

One more tip: Don't look for unblemished produce. Go for taste!

Alexa Fleckenstein M.D., physican, author.

[fiestyslug]

05:15 PM on 06/21/2010

Absolutely. Americans have become too focused on looks, not taste. I am raising heirlooms, and the taste is dramatically different - BETTER!

[Dwells75]

01:59 PM on 06/15/2010

Great tips! I learned the hard way on my first trip that bringing your own bags and cash are a must. I ended up making a quick trip to the bank for cash and 3 trips back and forth to the car just to haul it all on that first weekend.

I've also learned to ask lots of questions, and most of the farmers seem to enjoy discussions with Market rookies like me.

[KarateKid]

09:55 AM on 06/11/2010

One thing I look for, in season, are wild vegetables. In May-June, you can get wild asparagus, which is out of this world, and you can find wild arugula, very tasty. I also found green eggs, which is from a Peruvian chicken, with a more orange yolk; the vendor I get it from at Union Square in NYC feeds the chickens all the leftover greens and they are not caged. Tastiest eggs I've ever eaten and lower in cholesterol, and the chickens are not hormonally enlarged, all natural. Green markets are the ONLY way to go.

[KarateKid]

09:50 AM on 06/11/2010

Anyone who has watched the documentary movie, Food Inc. would be encouraged to buy from local farmers, who do not practice what corporate farms do. Ask them if it organic, and if not, what kind of pesticides they use. Ask if their tomatoes are vine ripened, and not by gassing them.

Monsanto invented a gene that makes their soybeans impervious to pesticides and they got a PATENT on it. Now, any farmer is subject to random inspection and if any of the soybean farms use a seed with that gene in it, they are fined or put out of business, even if the seed blew in from an adjacent farm. Outrageous that food can be patented ! Guess who wrote the SCOTUS majority opinion? None other than Clarence Thomas, who was once a Monsanto lawyer.

This gives added impetus to avoid corporate farmed products and shop more at local farmers markets. You'll be healthier and less prone to e-coli outbreaks.

[MaggieNYS]

03:46 PM on 06/11/2010

Round-Up Ready!!

And not only do they not have to disclose foods that are GMO, they have been successful at preventing non GMO food from being labeled as such!

[fiestyslug]

05:14 PM on 06/21/2010

Just ordered it from the library today, am anxious to watch it. I am already very pro - local, pro organic etc.

[HolliThompson]

08:39 AM on 06/11/2010

I would add this-
Make sure the produce does not look too "perfect". Perfect, blemish free often can mean sprayed or non organic. Often produce found at our local farmers market is organic but the farmer does not wish to go through the expense of applying.
My true test, take a good look.
Holli Thompson, CHHC
www.nutritionalstyle.com

[Daruni Nara]

11:25 PM on 06/09/2010

Totally agree on no negotiating. Dont have to argue about the price, most of the time, the farmers will generously stash extra veggies in my bag tho.

[mds415]

01:06 AM on 06/09/2010

One more tip on money - try to bring small bills and some coins. The sellers only have so much change, and if everyone's bringing 20s from the ATM, they run out of ones and quarters quickly.

[Ozark Homesteader]

12:08 AM on 06/09/2010

Super tips. I had to laugh at the one about asking the farmers how to prepare the food you don't know. You never know who's staffing the booth and whether or not they cook. Here's a tale about a recipe I got for acorn squash at the Madison (WI) Farmers Market in the late 1980s:
http://ozarkhomesteader.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/acorn-squash-baking-basics-from-the-madison-farmers-market/

[sc978303]

05:15 PM on 06/08/2010

These are great tips to help avoid the madness that can be your local farmers market. People should never feel awkward or out of place at a farmers market, if you don't know what something is or how to cook it... ask! These farmers want your business and are proud of what they have grown, they will be more than happy to explain the product and share information with you.