Farmers markets are wonderful opportunities for you to get outdoors and interact with the growers and artisans in your community. You can take the time to talk to each vendor and find out more about the products they are selling. The fruits and vegetables sold at farmers markets are generally fresher than those sold at chain stores, and you can feel good about supporting your local farmers.
Before you go to your local market, read over our list of the best items you can buy at the farmers market!
Tomatoes
If you have ever eaten a fresh-from-the-vine tomato, you know the difference between a fresh-picked one and a tomato that’s been sitting on a produce shelf for a few days. You are also likely to find more varieties of tomatoes at your local farmers market than you will at the grocery store.
Carrots
Break out of the orange carrot box! Your farmers market may carry carrots of other colors, such as white or purple. Some of these varieties have higher amounts of antioxidants than standard orange carrots, yet with the same familiar taste.
Berries
You already know that berries have very short shelf lives, which is why the grocery chains often have to fly them in from other countries. By purchasing local berries in season, you are giving business to local growers and reducing your carbon footprint.
Asparagus
Asparagus season is short, so you have to be ready to snatch up the stalks when they are available. Asparagus from the farmers market is much less likely to be treated with potentially dangerous chemicals.
Peaches
There are few fruits better than a fresh peach. But because they are so easily damaged, many peaches that are transported over long distances don’t hold up to the travel. Buying local ensures fresh, damage-free fruits.
Grassfed Beef and Dairy
Buying your beef and dairy products at the farmers market allows you to ask the vendors questions about the way the animals are raised and the food they are fed. Labels on grocery store beef aren’t always reliable, so it is beneficial to be able to speak to the ranchers themselves.
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Local Honey
Depending on where you live, the local honey you buy from the farmers market may taste completely different than any other honey you have tried. The flower pollen the bees use to create the honey adds different flavors to the end product, so each region’s honey will have a different taste.
Squash
Treat yourself to a few new varieties of squash at the farmers market. You are sure to find a few you have never tried before!
Lettuce
Because lettuce crops grow in abundance, lettuce at the farmers market is usually significantly less expensive than the same types at the grocery store. Just be sure to wash all that soil from the leaves before eating!
These are just some of the wonderful things you can find at the farmers market. Depending on your location and the time of year, you can also find fresh-cut flowers, homemade breads and cheeses, or decorative items from local artisans. If you are wondering what produce is in season when, check out ForRent’s handy guide.