 While farmers markets may have once been the purview of young urban
professionals, their presence and popularity has exploded even in the
suburbs in the past several years. As people increasingly become aware
of the importance of knowing where their food comes from, in light of
the recent salmonella and e.coli outbreaks, it is natural that people
turn first to their local farmers markets. If you haven't checked out your local market yet this year, go now! September is the most bountiful month of the year in most of the U.S. Shopping at a farmers market is quite
different than shopping at a big box grocery store, so here are a few
tips to help you avoid being overwhelmed by your first trip, or to make
your shopping outings more effective.
Timing. Many markets open early in the morning, making it an ideal way to entertain young children who may wake up before any other stores are open! As we are now in the peak of the growing season in most areas, the markets can get crowded pretty quickly. You’ll often hear that you should get there first thing for the best selection. That may be true, but if you don’t have a specific item in mind, going an hour or so after the market opens will allow the market-going regulars to be in and out and you may feel less pressure to rush as the pace slows down a little. If you’re willing to take your chances on what’s left, many vendors offer a discount in the market’s final hour which is a great way to save a few dollars.
Planning. Many markets have websites and/or email newsletters that will alert you to what’s likely to be at market each week. If not, you can check either larger markets in your area, who will likely being selling many of the same things, or websites such as Epicurious ’ what’s in season map.
Quantities. One of the easiest mistakes to make is buying more than you can use before it spoils. It can take a little adjusting if you’re used to making one grocery trip and stocking up for the week. Market produce is usually at the peak of ripeness, so be sure to use the ripest and more perishable items (greens, tomatoes) first. If you can’t use something within several days, freezing it will preserve its freshness. I like to blanch greens, like chard and spinach, or other vegetables like broccoli and beans, for a minute or two in boiling water, then rinse in cold water, drain and freeze in plastic freezer bags or reusable containers. Not only does this preserve items that may spoil before I get to them, but it speeds up dinner prep later. The frozen veggies can be thrown into pasta water the last 2 minutes of boiling, for example, or tossed straight into a stir-fry pan.
Strategize. When you bring home your purchases, wash and prep as many of your vegetables as you can to make it easier to incorporate them in meals throughout the week. Plan your menu for the week, taking care to use the more perishable items earlier, as noted above. These steps will help minimize waste which can be especially frustrating when you’re shelling out a little more for high-quality local produce.
Questions. You’ll frequently hear that you should ask questions of the vendors about how they grow their items, their favorite way to cook them, if they use pesticides, etc. While you should certainly feel comfortable building a rapport with vendors over time, if you don’t feel comfortable asking them directly, look for a market manager. Again, if there is a website for the market there is often contact information there, or the manager often has a small table set up at the market. They know each vendor and will gladly answer questions you may not wish to ask the farmer directly.
Most importantly, take your time, be willing to try new things, and have fun. Making the process of acquiring your food fun sets the stage for children to enjoy eating is as well!
Find your local farmers market at LocalHarvest.org . Colleen Levine is a farmers market junkie who also writes about cooking fresh, local, seasonal and sustainable foods at FoodieTots.com .
Tags: farmers markets shopping local produce eat local |
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