Farmers’ Market Tips
Apr 15, 2008 farmers' markets, general food
With last weekend now behind us, the air is warming back up, the fields are drying, and the Farmers’ Market season is virtually upon us. So as obvious as some of these might be, read the Well Fed Network’s tips on Getting the Most Out of Your Farmer’s Market so you can be prepared.
I would also add:
Be Polite – I know you want those peaches, or those beautiful brandywine tomatoes, or those last few trays of raspberries, but there are other people at the markets trying to shop too, so don’t push your way through. The occasional “excuse me” goes a long way towards ensuring the community vibe that the farmers’ markets foster, and there’s always the possibility that if there are only a few left and you really wanted them that you should have heeded the other advice: Arrive Early.
Get to know the farmers – While it goes hand in hand with being polite, getting friendly with the farmers not only means your feeling good about where you’re money went as you’re supporting your local economy first hand, it means sometimes getting a tip on what’s good, the extra bit of produce, or the occasional offering from the hidden stash because you are not just another nameless face in the crowd.
Tags: farmers market
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April 15th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Each market has it’s own personality, some are more laidback and there is time to chat at the slower times. A great market to talk to farmers is the Wed. Maplewood Market…..the pace is different than a Sat. market and there is relatively speaking more time for farmer interaction. Just remember that they are there to make money…..respect that if a paying customer comes up while you are chatting and let them go through.
Hopefully the flooding did only temporary damage….it’s been a harsh few years for area farmers. Some of the worst drought 2001-2006, the early budding then freeze last April, now spring flooding….HWY40 through Illinois looked like the Louisiana swamps last weekend….cannot be good for asparagus and strawberries.
Early bird market goers get the first of the season and the last of the season.
April 15th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
oh yeah, Bill I don’t recognize the pix….looks kinda sorta like Columbia, MO market but the house is not on that property.
April 15th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
It’s Maplewood Farmer’s Market facing East.
April 15th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
I second the “be polite” suggestion. I can’t stand when I wait patiently in line and someone butts right in front of me to grab the last pint of sungold tomatoes. Anyone tries that this year, and I’m cutting someone.
I kid. Sort of.
April 16th, 2008 at 8:08 am
I hope you loudly say something so they understand that line cutting is not only rude but dangerous for the cuttee.
Sungolds can be a precious commodity certain times of the season.