Visiting the farmer’s market is one of my favorite pastimes, and I’m kind of a pro at it. Whether you’re a novice or a farmer’s market regular, check out my tips for upping your farmer’s market game:

Find the farmer’s market

If you’re not a frequent farmer’s market shopper, now is a great time to start. If you don’t know where your local farmer’s market is, you can easily look this information up online using the USDA or Local Harvest’s handy farmer’s market directories.



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Be open minded

Shopping at your local farmer’s market is the key to seasonal eating, and eating with the seasons is all about flexibility.

Maybe you’re not a gardener yourself, or you just moved to a new region of the country. Checking out what’s available at the farmer’s market from week to week, and allowing the availability of certain products to guide your meal plan, is a great way to learn about the growing and harvest cycles in your area.

It’s also a great way to maximize the nutritional impact of your meals, since fresh produce from the farmer’s market doesn’t have to travel long distances or wait long periods in storage before it reaches your table.

Check out your options

This tip is key, especially if you’re into bargain hunting. This will also allow you to find inspiration for your weekly meals.

Rather than buying the first thing that catches my eye, I love to walk up and down the rows from stand to stand, taking a look at everything that’s available. Sometimes you’ll find different varieties of carrots or lettuce or peppers at different stands, and you can comparison shop for quality as well as price.

Ask questions

Farmers and farm stand operators know their products best, and they love to eat them, too. Rather than rejecting an unfamiliar fruit or vegetable (or type of fish, or meat, or spice, or herb…) ask the seller how they like to serve the product, and what the best techniques are for storage and cooking.

Farmers love feedback, so return the next week to tell them how their recommendations worked out, and what your favorite products were. This is also a great way to let local growers know what you like to cook with—if your favorite foods aren’t already available, local farmers may be able to provide them the next season if they know eager customers are out there.

Bring cash

Though many farm stands are equipped these days to accept credit cards, Square payments, WIC vouchers and even bitcoins, others are not. Cash works anywhere you go. This also helps farmers to earn the most take-home pay, since they won’t have to cover any service charges.

Bring reusable bags

This may not be true where you live, but.some cities have actually banned plastic bags. In other areas, vendors have started charging for them. Either way, they’re not environmentally friendly and they cost vendors money.

Bring your own bags from home, and fill them up with your farmer’s market goodies. I like to leave a few in the car or on a hook by the front door so I remember to bring them with me.

Be prepared to have fun

The farmer’s market is about so much more than just grocery shopping. Many farmer’s markets offer fresh whole foods alongside prepared foods, so you can enjoy a snack or a meal while you’re there. Others offer live music, cooking demos, and activities for the kids. It’s a fun community space that the whole family can enjoy, so make a day of it!

Once you’ve gathered your haul of delicious local goodies and brought it home, it’s cooking time! For more farmer’s market inspiration, check out 9 Colorful Fruits and Veggies to Bring to the Table.

Visit the Remember Stuff recipe search to find recipes that will help you to get the most out of all of that farm-fresh food.

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