Farmers Markets have been around for a while but are gaining in popularity! I have often spoken to many people in my area who did not know we had one! They are usually held once a month on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th day of the month, although in some places they are held more frequently!
I always find farmers markets to have an interesting range of food, from in season fresh vegetables and fruit to breads, cakes, biscuits, pates, condiments, cheeses, chocolate, dips, meats, cold cuts, and often a range of boutique ciders, beers and wines! I have often gone shopping for food but have returned with wine! They can be a bit more expensive so you do have to weigh up what you are buying, its quality, taste and freshness in comparison to what is available at your local supermarket or every day market. I have found the vegetables tend not to last as long from some suppliers but last OK from others. Best to ask questions around when it was picked and how long it has been stored so you can decide for yourself!
There are a few things you should be aware of when shopping at farmers markets so that you can get the most out of them:
- Wear The Right Shoes – Farmers markets are often located in reserves or fields. If it has been raining the night before or its early in the morning at anytime of year, the grass will be wet so open toe shoes are not advised. If it has rained, it may be muddy too, especially as the day wears on and 100’s of people have taken the same path!
- Bring Cash – Not all stalls take cards – majority take cash and the markets are not usually located anywhere near an ATM! Bring more cash than you needs as you will inevitably buy more than you expect!
- Bring Your Own Bags – not plastic but fabric shopping bags! Suppliers do not always have bags to give away – it is rare. Because it is a farmers market and fresh produce is often organic, there is an expectation that customers have their own food trolleys or bags. You will of course get paper bags for tomatoes etc but not carrier bags! Bring more bags than less – you will need them!
- Go Early – Many farmers markets are only open for a set number of hours – 8am – 1pm or 12noon until 5pm. The smaller ones bring a certain amount of produce to sell. Once it is sold, there is no more. My farmers market opens from 8am until 1pm. I have often gone at 11am and most of the things I have wanted to purchase have run out. It is a difficult one as there are many factors that influence whether or not a greater or lesser number of people will attend the market when it is on. I now try and go as early as possible, just in case. You may find this is different at different markets.
- Walk Around Before You Buy – If you are unfamiliar with the market and it is small, it is best that you walk around once and see whats on offer before deciding to buy anything. This is important as you will often find that the fruit and vegetable stalls are not all in one place but may appear in different spots around the market. There is nothing worse than buying the first thing you see, only to find a better quality product or range, out of site, around the corner. Prices can differ also! Obviously, if it a huge market, this is not practical as it can take a long time just to walk around the whole place!
- Sampling the Produce – I have to say this is one of the best parts of the farmers markets – in some cases, you can essentially eat and drink your way around the market, trying out the samples! Seriously, the market I go to always has wines on tastings – Yes, I have sampled wines as early as 9am in the morning!!! Even if the samples are out, it is always best to ask if you can have a taste. If there are no samples and you are looking to buy a large quantity of something that may or may not be good – e.g. a large punnet of apricots – then definitely ask if you can try a sample – most places will oblige!
Find your local farmers market and have fun! I have bought some of the best tasting vegetables from my farmers market and am happy to buy imperfect fruit and vegetables that taste amazing!
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