10 TIPS FOR SHOPPING IN LOCAL FARMERS MARKET.

I like to go there again. Yes. The one among many places, I like to go again and again and again, since my childhood is our “LOCAL FARMERS MARKET!”. I usually go with my mom, to buy some cool gadgets! What else? ( haha, I am kidding!) We go there to buy some “fresh produce!”.

For me, the “Farmers market is a spectacular place!”. Because, basically I like watching (in Tamil, வேடிக்கை பார்த்தல்!) people and places. We usually go in the mornings, where we used to see the place is filled with many people busy buying and selling, chatting and bargaining, sometimes just walking around. I think that is why I like this place. And wait, there’s more. The Farmers and sellers will have fresh fruits, colorful vegetables, beautiful and good fragrant flowers and sometimes pulses and grains, arranged pretty neat. It will be “a treat to our eyes” (mostly relaxing, not dizzy for sure!) to see different natural colors in one place!

I think, most of you have gone to your local farmers market, at least once. Some of you may visit there in a rare case scenario or less frequently or daily as a routine. Some of you may enjoy going to the farmers market while some, do not like much.  Now, whatever category you are in, here are the best 10 tips I am going to share, to help your next visit to the farmers market more enjoyable!

NOTE: The video version of the post is given below, for those who enjoy watching videos more than reading blogs.

10 TIPS TO BUY THINGS FROM YOUR LOCAL FARMERS MARKET

Apparently, here is where the actual context starts (and I’m not sorry if you were bored to read my story before!) Comment me below if you find any tips new or interesting or you liked the most, so you would apply immediately on your next trip.

1. CHECK YOUR REFRIGERATOR.

The first thing, I recommend doing, when you are planning to go to the farmers market is, to “check your refrigerator”. You may have some leftover vegetables or fruits. If so, take a note of it. This will avoid you from buying the same vegetables (that you had in your fridge) again, without notice and it will prevent wastage.

So, take a look at your refrigerator, before heading to the farmers market.

2. PLANNING A SPECIAL RECIPE?

Sometimes, I will plan on a new dish to try and will go to the farmers market to get ingredients. On reaching home, I will realize that somehow, I have missed the main ingredient, or in other cases, I would miss at least one item that is most needed. As the result, I will always change the entire recipe, I wished to try.

I know, some of you have experienced the same. So, to prevent this situation, I have an idea. If you have any recipe that is going on your mind, please take a note of the ingredients. Take that note to the market and strike out after you buy that item. So, you never miss any item required for your recipe.

 

3. CONSIDER THE “TIME” OF USAGE.

For me, this is the most eminent tip that prevents wastage. Before you buy vegetables or fruits, have in mind, the “time of usage” of it.

Eg. Tomato. If you are going to use it immediately, buy the ones that are ripened or ready to use. If you are going to save it for the later use, say two days later, then go for a less ripened ones. So, the tomatoes will be ripened at the time of your usage. Do you get my point?

4. ALWAYS CARRY A BAG WITH YOU.

Most of the farmers in the farmers market, may not provide you the carry bags. Many sellers would charge extra money for that extra bag they are providing. Why troubling yourself?

Instead Carry a bag with you, which is more comfortable for you. I recommend it is best to use “the cloth bag/recyclable one”. So, you need not depend on the farmers for a carry bag or bargain the sellers for that extra bag. You will be winsome in both the situations.

5. ARE YOU AN ORGANISING FREAK?

If you are an organizer, then bring more bags to get vegetables and fruits in different ones, separately. So, that you need not spend the time to organize/separate the vegetables and fruits you bought, one more time when you are back home!   

6. ALWAYS CARRY “LOOSE MONEY” WITH YOU!

When you hit the farmers market in the mornings, most of the sellers and farmers may not have the change to provide you. I think, most of you have faced this situation, waiting for the farmer to give your change back(sometimes, he may not have). It will not be pleasing to both you and the farmer. To tackle the situation, always remember to carry loose money with you. So you may need not stuck there waiting for your change.

Having that said, never carry a “card” (either credit or debit) to the farmers market. No farmers will have a card swiping machine readily. Therefore, I prefer having some loose money, especially some coins/changes with you before leaving to the farmers market.

7. GIVE PRIORITIES TO “FARMERS”!

Prefer buying vegetables and fruits from an actual farmer rather than sellers. Saying that I am not opposed to the sellers. As far as I know, the farmers will not come to the market every day. They sell only when they harvest their produce. Talk to them, be kind and do not bargain with the farmers when they already sell their produce at the reasonable rate.

{ *sellers: who buy vegetables and fruits as a wholesale from a farmer (probably with low costs) and will sell in those markets (with the market rate). They will have their own stalls. They are the middleman between a farmer and the customer.

*farmers: who sow seeds, watched the plants grow and harvest the veggies or fruits at the right time. Mostly they may not have their own stalls. They sell their produce directly to the customers at more reasonable rate.}

8. PREFER HEIRLOOM VEGGIES.

Nutritionists and doctors, even my granny prefer to consume heirloom vegetables and fruits rather than the hybrid one. Most of the farmers sell organic, heirloom vegetables. So prefer buying from them when you have an opportunity.

Since heirloom, organic ones are the healthier option than the hybrids, prefer buying and consuming heirloom produce.

9. TRY DIFFERENT VEGETABLES AND FRUITS.

I have seen some people buying the same vegetables again and again. And that would be potatoes and tomatoes. (me: what?! Won’t you get bored??).

There are numerous options for us to try rather than a potato or a tomato. There are different kinds of greens, different vegetables in various colors, that are rich in minerals and vitamins. Try picking out different veggies each day, so that you will not be bored to cook as well as to eat.

10. KNOW THE SEASONS & PREFER SEASONAL PRODUCE.

Having said to prefer consuming heirloom vegetable and try different fruits and vegetables, I will definitely recommend starting with the seasonal produce.

Always know your seasons and aware of the seasonal produce. Inevitably, I will be like, “Ok now summer has started. It’s time for me to taste the summer specials !” with No doubt, I’m referring “Mangoes and watermelons” here. They are healthy as well as available only in their particular seasons. So, why miss it?! Give it a try!!

 

BONUS TIPS!!

Apart from 10 good tips, here are the 3 detailed bonus tips (for my readers/subscribers)!

11.  IS THE FARMERS MARKET NEAR YOU?

If you are very near to the farmers market (like me), start going there frequently. It has more benefits.

 

Let me explain.

• Definitely, you will buy and consume fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers.
• You will only buy an adequate amount of veggies needed for the short time (say, for 1-2 days).
• So, you may need not stocking up your fridge (for 10+ days) and this will minimize the wastage.
• You will tend to meet your old friend or new people and farmer friends.
• Bring your little ones to the market and show them how spectacular the place is.
• Also, fresh air and good walks in the mornings!

12. GO EARLY OR GO LATE.

Prefer going to the farmers market in the mornings. Either go early or go late. Avoiding peak hours may avoid dealing with the rushing people crowds. So, that you will enjoy your pleasant, peaceful shopping.

 

13. LEARN TO BUY

If you are a newbie in buying vegetables, bring your mother (no one is as expert as a mother), or a friend (if your mom is busy), who knows buying fresh produce, hacks to check the freshness, etc. Have their company for the few times. If you start visiting farmers market more often, you will learn to know to buy yourself.

If you are an expert, then bring your children regularly to the market.

• Show them the varieties of vegetables, fruits, and flowers available in different seasons,
• help them to learn the names of every veggie,
• guide them how to buy the fresh produce,
• encourage them to try a different vegetable, fruits, and flowers each time they visit the market.
• explain to them why to support farmers and why heirloom is healthier than hybrids.

The video version of the post is given below. If you like watching videos rather than reading blog posts, then click here!!

Hope you enjoyed this post and found some useful tips. If you liked this, share with your friends and family and ask a “farmers market” hang out. Comment me down, which tip you liked the most, which tip you hate. Do write me down if this is interesting or if boring. Excited to see your comments.

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