Top Secrets of Your Local Farmers Market

There is more to your local farmers market than meets the eye. Here are some secrets to enhance your market experience.

1. Where Am I?
First of all, look around. Do you see booths selling cotton candy and wind chimes in addition to vendors of brussels sprouts and flowers? If so, you are probably not at a bona fide farmers market. You are most likely at a street carnival or commercially sponsored fair. Legislation established some 30 years ago requires real farmers markets to be operated by the farmers themselves, by municipalities or by non-profit organizations. True farmers markets concentrate on farm-grown produce and plants, not on processed foods and crafts. Nothing annoys a serious farmer more than to have someone wander up to their booth with a corn dog in one hand and a macramé hammock in the other saying, "I've got 75 cents left. What can I get for that?"

2. Is This Organic?
Most farmers markets have a special area reserved for the Certified Organic growers. These are farmers who are in compliance with the rigorous government requirements of organic production and have bragging rights to certify their product. However, many of the growers outside the Certified circle abide by organic principles and offer organic produce. They may not have the budget or personnel to comply with the official inspections and paperwork to earn their certification. If you are seeking organic foods, simply ask the vendor.

3. How Do I Cook This?
Chances are, you are going to encounter some unfamiliar produce at your farmers market. The growers often bring produce that isn't common to the large grocery stores. That is what makes buying direct from the grower such an exciting and educational experience. When you come across a fruit or vegetable new to you, ask the vendor about proper ripeness, how to peel it, how to seed it, or how to cook it. Many vendors will give you preparation advice and some even have printed recipes upon request.

4. Will This Keep?
Because the produce you see at the farmers market was most likely harvested just the day before the event, it is fresher than the produce available in the large grocery stores. For that reason, it will keep as much as 2 weeks longer than produce purchased from the big grocery chain.

5. Is It Supposed To Look Like That?
Be open minded. Often the farmers market produce is not going to look as cosmetically perfect as its grocery store counterparts. That is because it is not polished and waxed to catch the eye of a bulk buyer. More importantly, the farmers market produce was more likely to have been picked ripe or harvested at its peak, so it may have sugar spots or harmless dents. Remember, grocery store produce is often harvested well before ripeness in order to withstand bulk handling and long range shipping.

6. Who Is That Person Dressed All In White?
The people dressed in kitchen whites at the local farmers market are probably the chefs from your neighborhood restaurants. They know great fruits and vegetables and they have their favorite vendors. Take note of where they do their transactions. But if you want to find them, you are going to have to set your alarm clock. They are the early birds and they are not getting any worms.

7. This Costs How Much?
Be prepared to spend some money at the farmers market. Much of the produce costs slightly more than you are used to paying at the large grocery stores. Price is easily compensated by freshness, variety and novelty. Also keep in mind that the average retail profit spread for small farmers in the U.S. is less than 20 cents per dollar. Many small scale growers says they could not stay in business if it were not for the local farmers markets.