How to Shop at a Farmers Market

Think you know how to handle a Farmers Market? Here are some great tips to maximize your food shopping experience.

Arrive early. Farmers markets start early. For most farmers, the day begins before the crack of dawn. They wake the roosters up. In order to set up their stalls at the markets, sellers are bustling in the pre-dawn darkness. Organized farmers markets usually have a posted opening time, and everyone tries to honor that. But occasionally sellers see their large-volume or regular buyers before the official opening hour. Their prime selection might be sold prior to the public opening. There is not much you can do about that, unless you can compete in volume or regularity, but you can arrive early enough to get a step ahead of your competition. Some shoppers get angry about pre-opening vending practices, but it is hard to begrudge a small farmer a sure sale considering the fragility of their wares. They have an extremely limited time to sell their produce. Most farmers who do not sell out their stock on the day of the market generally do not attempt to sell it again the next day, unlike grocery stores.

Follow the chefs. If you live in a somewhat urban area or in the vicinity of a culinary school, chances are the chefs from your upscale local restaurants or the student chefs will be shopping at the farmers market. You may see them in their kitchen whites on the prowl for the makings of the menu of the day. They have their eyes peeled for the freshest, most colorful and most unusual vegetables, fruits and flowers. They have their favorite vendors who can supply them with such treats. Take note of which stalls they frequent and follow in their footsteps. They have done their homework.

Ask the sellers for preparation advice. Growers often bring to their farmers market stalls produce that isn't a common sight in grocery stores. This is what makes buying directly from the grower such an educational experience. If you come across food that is new to you, ask the seller about proper ripeness or the best way to prepare it. Often the vendors will have preparation advice. Some even have recipes upon request. Farmers market etiquette should discourage you from tying up too much of the vendor's time extracting culinary information. Remember, these people are busy trying to make a living during the brief market hours.

Be willing to substitute. Some shoppers come to the farmers market with a recipe in mind or in hand and they are looking for specific ingredients to complete the preparation. Others approach the market from the other end of the spectrum and let the availability of the produce determine the menu. A little of both techniques might be best. You may have your heart set on a particular fruit and find that it is just a few weeks past its prime harvest. Or your favorite variety of vegetable may be sold out. Look around and be open minded. It is likely you will discover an alternate ingredient as good as, if not better than what is on your list.

Bring cash. Farmers markets are a cash and carry business. Don't expect to use a credit card. It can be that you will see some prices higher than you are used to paying at large grocery stores. Price is easily outweighed by the variety, freshness and flavor of goods from a farmers market versus a chain grocery store. Be prepared to spend some money and support the small farmers of this country. Many small scale growers say they could not stay in business if it were not for local farmers markets. You can do your part in keeping this tradition alive.