How to Shop at a Farmers Market
Seven Ways to Save Money and Help Sustain Local Farmers!
Aug 29, 2009
According to the Agricultural Marketing Service, the number of local, open-air farmers markets nearly doubled between 1998 and 2008. This ever-increasing number is making it easier for people to help sustain the local economy and improve their own personal health by eating fresh food picked at its nutritional peak. These seven tips make it easy to navigate any market while getting the best deal possible.
Ways to Save Money at a Farmers Market
- Take a list. To avoid the dilemma of having too many choices, try to decide ahead what to get. Plan a few meals and then shop accordingly. It may still be difficult to resist all the incredible produce at the peak of freshness, but a list may help alleviate the temptation to bring everything home.
- The best deals are found at the end of the day. Naturally, the shopper has more bargaining power the later it gets when producers are most eager to sell their remaining goods. If it’s most important to get the best deal possible, by all means go later.
- Shop the outskirts. Visit the stands that don’t have the best location. Those who have the prime spot also often have higher prices since they are most likely paying a premium for that space. The stands on the outskirts may have the same quality, but often offer it at a lower price to help encourage business.
Tips for a Low-Stress Trip
- Go early for the best selection. It’s true that the earlier it is, the better selection there will be. Most markets open between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m. and stay open well into the afternoon or until all their goods are sold.
- Bring cash. Most open-air farmers markets don’t have access to the electricity needed to run a credit card machine, and even those that do may not be able to afford to expense of offering such a luxury. Bring mostly small bills and be ready to leave with a nice collection of change.
- Take your own bag. To help eliminate waste, bring a reusable grocery bag and along with several used plastic grocery bags. Most producers have the habit of bagging produce in a brand new plastic bag for each purchase, so bringing used ones will not only help reduce waste, but also save them money in the long run.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It is totally acceptable to ask the farmer how the produce was grown and what was used, if anything, to control pests. If anyone balks at such questions or doesn’t offer clear answers, move on. One of the great privileges of shopping a farmers market is being able to ask those questions, so take advantage of it.
The Benefits of Shopping at a Local Farmers Market
In his book IN DEFENSE OF FOOD, Michael Pollan writes, “Shake the hand that feeds you.” Shopping at a farmers market offers the opportunity to do just that. The implications are far greater than just shortening the food chain and improving the local economy. It increases a sense of well-being and over-all personal health and wellness.
Source:
Pollan, Michael. In Defense of Food. New York: The Penguin Press, 2008, p. 160.
More Information on This Topic:
A Review of In Defense of Food, an Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan
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