13+ Secrets to Getting Deals at the Farmer’s Market
Updated: Feb. 09, 2017Get the best buys with these tips, straight from the farmers themselves.
Want to save some money?
Ask me about “seconds,” visually imperfect fruits and vegetables you can often get by the case at a discount. Also called No. 2 produce, seconds are great for making tomato sauce, salsa, jam, and soup—but they’re perfectly fine to eat as is, too, as long as you don’t mind a few dings.
Buying at the start of the season doesn’t always save you money.
You’ll pay a premium to get the first peaches or tomatoes of the year. If you’re on a budget, wait a few weeks until a food is abundant, demand dies down, and prices drop.
Please don’t walk up to me holding your caramel macchiato…
…and say $3 is too much to pay for a bunch of beets. Did you try to bargain with the barista at Starbucks? I was up at 3 a.m. today harvesting crops just to support my family.
Just because the sign says “farmers’ market”…
…doesn’t mean there are any real farmers involved in the makeshift shop. Many so-called farmers’ markets are actually set up by wholesalers who buy the same food you can get in your local grocery store, mark it up considerably, set up stands, and resell it. For a much more authentic experience, look for farmers’ markets that are “producer-only,” meaning they require all vendors to actually grow or make the foods they sell.
Don’t squeeze the peaches to see if they’re ripe.
Ask me to help you pick out some ripe ones, or look for a warm yellow base color and a fragrant smell. And while we’re on the subject, don’t husk every ear of corn either. That dries them out.
Don’t know what something is or how to cook it?
Just ask. For the best advice, ask the grower what he has that day that you shouldn’t miss and how he prepares it.
To get the best stuff and avoid crowds…
…come on a weekday or get here early. The most beautiful and high-demand items go fast. (But please don’t ask us to sell anything until the official opening time.)
If you’re new to our market, start with a walk-through.
Compare prices and quality, and then decide what you want to buy.
Found a worm in your corn? Don’t freak out.
It’s a common issue in organically grown corn, because spraying with pesticides in the only surefire way to prevent them. After you break off the piece with the worm, the corn is still safe to eat, and it’ll be sweeter and tastier than any worm-free ears you pick up in the supermarket.
