by Suzanne Rose

Created on: July 06, 2010

Farmer’s markets can be wonderful resources for purchasing fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and other items.  There are many markets all over the country, which differ in many aspects.  If you are just starting out shopping at these markets, then consider the following pointers.

Get an idea of what everyone offers before you purchase everything at one booth

A large farmer's market might have a variety of vendors.  You do not want to purchase everything at the first vendor you go to only to find better produce for cheaper prices elsewhere.  Before you actually buy the items, you might want to take a quick run around the fair to get an idea of the different offerings at the different vendors.  You want to make wise choices.

Do not overbuy

Everything might look wonderful at a farmer's market.  You may just feel like buying everything in sight.  Before doing this think about what you will truly use.  A lot of produce does not have a very long life, and you do not want things to rot.  You can also think about what you might want to use in pies or to freeze, but do not just buy because it’s there.

Taste before you buy a lot

Sometimes fruit that looks great doesn’t taste as good and vice versa.  A lot of this food is very good, however.  You may want to buy a small piece to taste before buying a whole lot.

Negotiate

At some farmer's markets and with some vendors, you can negotiate.  They may be especially willing to work with you if you are buying a lot.  You can try the different vendors to see where you can get the best prices.

Ask about the farm’s practices

If it is of interest to you, you can ask about the practices of the farm.  For instance, you could find out if they use organic farming practices.  You could find out if they use pesticides in their farming.  You can find out how large of an operation it is and whether it is family owned or not.  These details may be of interest to you and may vary depending on the vendor.

There are many different farmer's markets, and some are much larger than others.  You can look through the newspaper and for signs advertising the different markets to see what might be available in your area.  Try the above strategies to help you when first starting to shop at these markets.

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