Farmers' Market Shopping

Shopping at a farmers' market is a lot of fun. They offer a plethora of items and a lot of the fresh produce sold at these events is very reasonably priced, if you know when to shop. In Orono, Maine, the farmers' market is open two days per week during the growing season. Tuesday and Saturday from about 10:00 AM to About 1:00 PM. This makes it easy to purchase fresh produce and other needs from a local source.

Granted, these farmers do not generally live right down the street from us. Farmers' markets allow them to all come together in one place for us to visit once or twice per week. This saves fuel in three ways: 1) Products are not being shipped in from other states and/or countries, 2) all farmers' market customers do not have to travel here-and-there-and-everywhere to purchase state grown products, and 3) customers are not paying for shipping of these products within their own states. This saves a lot of fuel and other costs overall.

I have noticed that, when I visit the market an hour or so before they close, I can usually get even better deals on the fresh produce. Why can you get better deals at the end of the day? It is because the farmers do not want to have to take the fresh produce and baked goods, or even the frozen items, back home with them if they can help it. They grew and/or made these items to be purchased, not to be brought back home. These products may not last until the next farmers' market, so the seller may be more apt to bargain toward the end of the day.

Our local farmers' market has more than just fresh produce. I can find seedlings, soaps, homemade jams, jellies, butters, pies, breads and more. Even frozen seafood and dried herbs. Last year, someone was selling homemade, organic dog treats. These wonderful products are just what I am looking for.

I find that almost all of the products that are offered at a farmers' market are organic. If an item is not organic, I can choose not to purchase it. I prefer to purchase as many natural, organic products as possible, so this is a very attractive reason for me to shop at the farmers' market rather than the grocery store. I also like the fact that the products are made and/or grown in my home state.

To shop a farmers market, you need a few things:

1. Reusable shopping bags, which you will want an abundance of.

2. The knowledge of what you need, and how much you will be able to use before your next visit.

3. The knowledge of how to preserve and/or store anything that you are able to get a good price on.

By all means, when you find a really good deal you should stock up if you can. You do not want to stock up on anything that will not last until you can eat or use it up, but you will want to take advantage of good deals on the items that will last. This will save you money in the long run.

I am now going to offer you up an assignment. I would like for each reader to visit a nearby farmers' market. Spend some time there. Ask about the products that are of interest to you. Find out if they are organic, if the sellers are willing to bargain at the end of the day, and how often the sellers attend that particular farmers' market. And be sure to bring plenty of reusable bags. You will need them. When you return home, comment here to let us know how things went and what you learned.