9 Insider Tips for Farmer’s Market Newbies

August 14th, 2012 by Dionna | 17 Comments
Posted in Carnival and Special Series, Carnival of Natural Parenting, Compassionate Advocacy, Ecological Responsibility and Love of Nature, Environmentalism, Feed with Love and Respect, natural parenting

Welcome to the August 2012 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Farmer’s Markets

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. This month our participants have written about something new they’ve learned about their local farmers.

***

As part of our family’s overall effort to live a healthier lifestyle, we’ve been eating more organic, locally grown food. Part of our fruit and veggie haul comes from Door to Door Organics. The other part often comes from our local farmer’s market.

I still consider myself a farmer’s market newbie, so I was excited to visit with some of the farmers at the Independence Farmers’ & Craft Market to learn some insider info.¹ Here are nine tips that can help you make the most of your farmer’s market experience.

1. Get to know your farmers.

The most important tip I heard from every person I talked to? Build a relationship with a few farmers. No big surprise here, but your farmers will be your most valuable resource at the farmer’s market.

Not only can they help you navigate your market, but farmers are more likely to do nice things (like cut you a super deal) for known customers.

2. Get to know your market.

Frequent your market on different days and times to get to know the ins and outs. Find a day/time that works best for you – will you get better deals and fresher produce mid-week when there are no crowds? At the beginning or end of the day? Do certain farmers only come on certain days?

If you have questions, ask the market manager. They are intimately familiar with the customs, procedures, farmers, and nuances of their market.

3. Get to know your food.

Many people shop at farmer’s markets because they want to support and eat local, sustainably grown food. But not all of the food at your market is grown or raised in the same way. It might not even be grown in your state.

Here are some questions you might want to ask:

• Do you grow your own food (or raise your own animals, etc.)?
• Where is your farm?
• What pesticides/chemicals do you use on your food?
• What does organic mean to you?
• How is your food grown?

4. Take a good look at the food.

You’ve probably heard people say to walk up and down the entire market before making any purchases. But I usually find at my local market that the prices are pretty similar. The difference is in the quality.

Get to know what a ripe watermelon should sound like. Find out how the perfect tomato should feel in your hand. Discuss with the farmers how long the produce should last once you get it home and the best way to store it. Ask what will taste best right now – they’ll tell you.

By the way, one farmer shared that if you come across produce that appears uniform, it was probably not grown at home. Fruits and vegetables are individuals, too!

5. Take advantage of special programs.

Many farmer’s markets offer special programs that can make your dollar go further. For example, Kansas City has a Beans & Greens program that doubles the value of SNAP dollars (food stamps) and Kansas Senior dollars. Several states offer assistance to families enrolled in WIC. See if your local market has any programs that you can benefit from.

6. Good farmers believe in good customer service.

Farmers want to build relationships with you, too. Repeat customers are good for business, so they are invested in you. Of course consumers should remember not to take advantage of local farmers – they’re trying to feed their families, just like you are. But don’t be afraid to ask. Here are a few examples of the incredible customer service I have seen at my market:

• If you get something bad, come back and let them know. Your farmer wants to make it right so that you will buy from him/her again.
• Do you have your eye on two beautiful tomatoes in different baskets? Ask if you can make your own portion.
• Not sure whether you’ll like kale (or something else on the farmer’s table)? Ask for a sample.

7. Farmers have sales, too.

As one farmer said to me, “there is value in negotiating.” Farmers give all kinds of discounts, you just need to ask (or show up at the right time). Here are a few of the discounts I have taken advantage of:

• End of day: Some farmers will offer bargains at the end of the day, because they would rather sell their produce than load it up and take it home.
• Seconds: “Seconds” are the produce that may not be as pretty, but is just as tasty. Use your for seconds for canning, stews, or other dishes where flavor matters more than looks.
• Bulk buying: Farmers are often happy to give you a discount if you buy a case of one type of fruit or vegetable. You may need to ask about bulk buying in advance so the farmer has enough for you.
• Pick-up: Some farmers might give you a discount for picking up your order at their farm.

8. Go beyond the market.

Get more from the farmer’s market than what you see on the tables. Here are a few ideas you can try:

• Do any of your farmers have a CSA? It can be a great way to support your farmers and supplement your regular market trips.
• Is there a product you love or want to try, but you’re not sure what to do with it? Visit with the farmers and ask for recipes. They eat what they grow!
• Curious to know where your food is grown? Ask whether they have a day where the public can visit the farm.
• Do you have a skill? Sure you do! Some farmers might be open to bartering. Consider trading skilled or unskilled labor for food.
• Turn the market into “school.” There are so many learning opportunities available at the farmer’s market. Here are some links for inspiration (most from today’s Carnival, so the links may not work just yet): 10 Simple Ways to Make the Farmer’s Market More Fun for Kids, Exploring the Market . . . Alphabet Style, 10 Things I Want To Teach My Daughter About The Importance of Shopping at the Farmer’s Market, On The Hunt . . . at the Farmer’s Market, Montessori-Inspired Vegetable Unit, School’s In at the Farmer’s Market

9. Be nice.

Remember that this isn’t some big, impersonal grocery store; these are individuals trying to make a living. So get to know your farmers. Make some new friends! Say thank you. Offer to help out. You have nothing to lose, and so much to gain.

***

Visit Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

(This list will be live and updated by afternoon August 14 with all the carnival links.)

• 10 Simple Ways to Make the Farmer’s Market More Fun for Kids — Lorie at Reading Confetti shares ideas and books to help kids get the most from the farmers market experience.
• 10 Things I Want To Teach My Daughter About The Importance of Shopping at the Farmer’s Market — Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama shares the ten lessons she hopes to impart to her daughter about the importance of shopping at local farmers markets.
• Charmed by Two Small Town Markets — Shannon at GrowingSlower was charmed by two small-town farmers markets while on vacation.
• The Olympia Farmer’s Market (and a giveaway!) — Shannon at Pineapples & Artichokes and family took a trip to their state capitol to experience a new market. See what they saw, and enter to win a book written about that very market.
• — Exploring the farmers market by Jennifer at True Confessions of a Real Mommy writing at Natural Parents Network — with a scavenger hunt!
• Exploring the Market … Alphabet Style — That Mama Gretchen is in the midst of creating a learning tool for her toddler and it’s all about the market!
• Unschooling at the Farmers Market — Megz at Aspen Mama loves building memories as a vendor at the Market.
• Montessori-Inspired Vegetable Unit — Deb Chitwood at Living Montessori Now shares links to Montessori-inspired vegetable printables and activities to help your family get the most out of a trip to the farmer’s market.
• Markets — How sustainable mum has fitted a monthly farmers market into a weekly food shop.
• The Farmers Market In Under An Hour (“Carl Style”) — Andrea and family at Tales of Goodness adapt their farmers marketing approach to make everyone happy.
• Tales Of a Troubled Gardener — Sam at Love Parenting writes about her dream of self-sufficiency and her lack of gardening skills!
• A Few {Of The Many} Reasons Why I Love Our Farmer’s Market — Even though the experience can sometimes be less than peaceful, MomeeeZen shares why she enjoys taking her family to the Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings.
• Experiencing the Farmer’s Market from a Different Perspective — Emily at S.A.H.M. i AM had a great time letting her toddler lead the way at the farmer’s market…
• Ask A Farmer’s Daughter — Abbie at Farmer’s Daughter answers questions about her life growing up on a small family farm in New England.
• Giving Up the Grocery Store — Kerry at City Kids Homeschooling shares her family’s summertime challenge to eliminate trips to the grocery store and rely almost exclusively on local, farm-fresh foods.
• Urban farming and fresh food in the city — Lauren at Hobo Mama takes trips to farms, gardens, and markets within reach of a big city.
• Market Tip: Get to Know Your Farmers — Justine at The Lone Home Ranger finally gets up the guts to talk to her farmers and learns she is among ardent food lovers.
• New Farmer’s Market Find — Kellie at Our Mindful Life is excited to make a new find at her new farmers market.
• “The Real World” Grassroots Edition — jessica at instead of institution takes some time out to write a love note.
• 9 Insider Tips for Farmer’s Market Newbies — Dionna at Code Name: Mama chatted with a few farmers to bring you some insider information on how to get the most out of your local farmer’s market.
• The Place Where I Can Say “Yes!” — Erica at ChildOrganics gives you a tour of her favorite vendors at her local farmers market and discusses the benefits of creating community through the market.
• Raw Local Milk — Jorje shares her family’s field trip to a local dairy. Learn what you can appreciate from a small town farm at Momma Jorje.com.
• Italian Secret Vegetable Soup Recipe — Alinka at Baby Web convinces an Italian Farmer & Cook to reveal a precious minestrone recipe and shares it with her readers.
• Where do our eggs come from? A visit to Sucellus Farms. — Carli at One Fit Mom takes her family to meet the chickens that have been providing their daily eggs.
• Beyond the Farm — Jennifer at True Confessions of a Real Mommy and her family enjoy looking beyond the food at the local farmer’s market to see the wares of the over vendors.
• Magic at the Market — Do you ever take time to really look at the food you eat? Amy at Anktangle enjoys marveling at the beauty (and the utility) of the foods and goods available at the farmers’ market.
• Farmer’s Market Discoveries — Laura from Pug in the Kitchen reminisces about the discoveries she’s made at the Farmer’s Market throughout the years.
• Are You Getting the Most out of Your Farmers’ Market? (My List of Not-So-Common “Musts”) — Sheila at A Living Family shares some uncommon ways to squeeze even more joy and connection (and yumminess!) from your local farmers’ market experience.
• Pick Your Own And Eat It — Luschka from Diary of a First Child shares their trip to a PYO farm and the journey from picking to eating her favourite food
1. I am thankful for the time I spent visiting with Joe Antoine, Market Manager of the Independence Farmers’ & Craft Market and Hartman’s Heritage Community Market, with Dan and Melinda Read, a mother and son team responsible for Brothers’ Produce (Dan is filling our bag in the first picture), and with Bobby and Liz Stockton, who own and operate Ida Belle Farms in Rayville, MO. Be sure to check out Ida Belle Farms on Facebook. ↩

My Book Is Now Available!

For My Children: A Mother's Journal of Memories, Wishes and Wisdom

Click the cover to order now!

Check out the raves and reviews!

• Recent
• Best Of
• Giveaways
• Guest Posts