How to Shop a Farmer's Market
August is here, heralding the end of summer and the beginning of fall which makes it the perfect time of year to visit a nearby farmer’s market to take advantage of the abundance of garden-fresh fruits, vegetables, and more. Stock up on delicious ingredients which you can turn into a fabulous meal in your apartment kitchen! To help you out, today the Independence Place Blog has some tips for shopping at a farmer’s market.
How to Shop at a Farmer’s Market
Take cash.
Plan a budget for your shopping and try to stick with it. It’s easy to overspend, and using only cash may make it easier to stay within budget, even though many vendors may accept credit cards or checks.
Look first.
Before you purchase anything, take a wander through the market to see what’s there. Even though you may have found lavender honey at the first stall, the one around the corner may have the same thing for a lower price. Make a mental note of the places you want to return to.
Choose the best time.
Whether you get there early to get the freshest produce with the most choices or at the end of the day when you can find great bargains depends on what you’re looking for. However, simply being aware of what typically happens when can be a factor in planning your trip. Plan enough time to be able to explore the whole market.
Be prepared.
Your preparations may vary, but at the least take a cooler to keep your produce in while in transit, especially if you have additional errands to run before you head back to your apartment. Bring your own bags and containers, as you won’t be able to count on every vendor having them.
Ask questions & try something new.
One of the perks of going to a farmer’s market is the opportunity to try something new. Vendors often have samples available, and if they don’t, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Ask the vendor about their products — most vendors love to talk about their growing practices, what pesticides were used (if any), and how to cook the produce.
Take advantage of buying in bulk.
A pint of strawberries versus a flat of strawberries won’t break the bank, but chances are you can quick freeze the berries for later use in smoothies or make freezer jam at a fraction of what it would cost you to buy it from the grocery store. You may even get a price break for buying in bulk, too.
Local Farmer’s Markets
We turned to Yelp to find some local farmer’s markets, and they didn’t disappoint. Here are The Best 10 Farmers Markets near Cranston, RI complete with reviews.
What is your favorite thing about going to a farmers market? Let us know in the comments and thanks for reading today’s post.