Farm-fresh fruits and vegetables and fruit are the gold standard when it comes to nutritious--and delicious--eating. However, you likely don't live on a farm: more than 80% of us now live in urban communities, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Enter your local farmer's market! These weekly outdoor meccas are packed full of farmers market vendors selling everything from the ripest tomatoes and sweetest berries to flowers, local cheeses, bread, meat, eggs and much more. Shopping your farmer's market is a fantastic way to connect with your local farmers, local growers and local artisan food purveyors, and the number of these markets grows every year: as of 2014, there were 8,268 listed in the United States alone.
[caption id="attachment_1169778" align="aligncenter" width="770"]
The Portland PSU Farmer's Market. Photo by Travel Portland.[/caption]
However, learning to shop your farmer's market may seem tricky. It's not like stopping by the grocery store--most are only one or two days per week (although your city may have multiple options in different neighborhoods throughout the week), they're only open certain hours, and many are seasonal. Not to mention:
no grocery carts. The horror!
So why head to the farmer's market at all? First, there's the environmental impact: by eating seasonal produce and locally grown foods, you can shrink your carbon footprint while investing in local farmers and local growers businesses. Second, it's a wonderful way to try new things: I always spot something unusual and exciting when I go, and if I have a question about how to cook it, I've got the expert right there selling it to me. Third, it's delicious! So don't worry: with a few tips and a little preparation, you can engage with your local community and stock your refrigerator with a vibrant rainbow of culinary delights.
[caption id="attachment_1169780" align="aligncenter" width="650"]
A vendor making flower arrangements! Photo by Portland Farmer's Market.[/caption]
Find Your Local Farmer's Market
The United States Department of Agriculture has an easy-to-use
National Farmers Market Directory online. Just type in your zip code to get a list of which markets are in your area, what they offer, and what forms of payment are accepted. From there, you can click through to the individual markets to find the days, times and locations!
Check What's in Season
To make the most of your trip, you'll want to select the ripest and most luscious local produce. So check what's in season before you go! Again, the USDA has a
great overview of what's in season nationwide, but you can explore your local region as well with this
Seasonal Food Guide.
[caption id="attachment_1169781" align="aligncenter" width="650"]
So many delicious cherry tomatoes! Photo by Portland Farmer's Market.[/caption]
Make a Game Plan
I'm speaking from experience: it's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer variety of amazing stuff you'll find at your farmer's market! So you need a plan. Check out some recipes (see below) and visit your market's website and see which vendors they have. Make a grocery list, but also check to see if there are any food carts you'd like to eat at (no point shopping on an empty stomach, right?) or any other events like live music or festivals in the area.
Gather Your Bags and Containers
Remember what I said about no grocery carts earlier? You can bring your own wheeled cart if you want, but be aware that some markets are extremely crowded. You'll definitely want to bring your reusable grocery bags and reusable produce bags, if you have them.
[caption id="attachment_1169782" align="aligncenter" width="728"]
A beautiful community event--that's also delicious! Photo by Portland Farmer's Market.[/caption]
Think about what local food and fresh produce you're getting and what you're going to need to bring them home safely. You don't want to smash those delicate, delectable peaches! If you're planning on buying meat products, seafood products, or dairy products, bring a cooler. If you drive, you can keep it in your car. If you're taking the bus, choose a cooler you can comfortably carry for long distances (I have a fabric-sided cooler I love).
Looking to reduce your waste? I often bring a Rubbermaid or similar container for berries--I tip the berries into it and return the paper basket to the vendor (they reuse them!). Not only does this reduce my trash, but it keeps my berries from being squished! You can often return things like egg cartons, too--bring last week's with you and give it back.
[caption id="attachment_1169785" align="aligncenter" width="770"]
Gorgeous leeks and shallots! Photo by OregonLive.[/caption]
Bring Cash
Many farmer's markets let you buy tokens you can spend with vendors; some vendors take credit cards. More and more markets enthusiastically accept WIC and SNAP (which is awesome)! But
all of them take cash, so make sure you have some with you, just in case.
Start Cooking
Once you bring your farmers market goodies home, it's time to enjoy them! I've chosen some of my favorite farmer's market-worthy recipes--check them out below!
The Savory Side
[caption id="attachment_1169783" align="alignright" width="350"]
Delicious Caribbean Caviar is bursting with fresh produce.[/caption]
Avocados: Our
Caribbean Caviar recipe is full of delicious produce you can find at your farmer's market if you live in a warmer climate, including avocados, mango, limes and fresh mint. Eat it like a side or scoop it up with tortilla chips or crackers!
Corn: This
Whole Wheat Yogurt Flatbread is the perfect light summer meal--they're like mini pizzas topped with fresh ricotta, corn, cherry tomatoes, and fresh parsley and mint. Yum!
Cucumber: Radicchio "bowls" cradle a delicious summery couscous salad with cucumbers, avocado, oranges and parsley in this recipe for
Couscous Salad in Radicchio Bowls with Champagne-Orange Vinaigrette.
Eggplant: This simple, elegant
Eggplant Tart with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese showcases the best summer has to offer: firm eggplant, flavorful fresh tomatoes and zingy goat cheese. Top with fresh basil to make it extra special!
[caption id="attachment_1169787" align="alignright" width="350"]
This Spicy Pilavi is wonderful for al fresco dining.[/caption]
Peppers: This
Spicy Pilavi, a traditional Turkish dish, is bright with yellow peppers, tomatoes, garlic, green onions, and fresh parsley and mint. Lemon juice and red pepper add tongue-tingling flavor, while golden bulgur offers fiber, protein and iron.
Strawberries: Our popular
Strawberry Basil Farro Salad combines certified organic farro and a piquant lemon-shallot vinaigrette with the freshest strawberries and basil.
Tomatoes: Does anything scream summer like a BLT? Our
Paleo BLT uses our
Paleo Baking Flour to make the perfect flatbread to hold fresh tomatoes, crisp lettuce and savory bacon.
The Sweet Side
Blackberries: Bring out the full potential of those farm-fresh blackberries with this
5 Ingredient Fresh Blackberry Galette from Chef Billy Parisi. A simple pastry crust surrounds juicy blackberries sprinkled with sugar.
[caption id="attachment_1169789" align="alignright" width="350"]
Sweet Blueberry Chia Jam on toast. Photo by Julie Garner.[/caption]
Blueberries: Making jams and jellies are a farmer's market classic, but it's now easier than ever with our
Blueberry Chia Jam! All you need are blackberries,
chia seeds, agave and vanilla extract.
Cherries: This
Cherry Almond Clafoutis is the perfect use for those fresh, in-season cherries! A browned-butter custard is flavored with cardamom and baked to perfection with jewel-like cherries.
Nectarines: The best part of this
Seasonal Fruit Galette is you can truly make it year-round (perfect for those of you with winter farmer's markets). This simple-yet-impressive dessert is made with blueberries, blackberries and nectarines, but feel free to swap in whatever fresh fruits catch your fancy!
Peaches: Whatever you do, don't mention you plan to whip up this
Peach Crisp with White Corn--you'll have people following you home! Tender peaches are spiced with cinnamon and cardamom and enveloped in a topping made from butter, brown sugar, and
white corn grits.
[caption id="attachment_1169791" align="alignright" width="350"]
These Raspberry Chocolate Popsicles are an energy-packed treat! Photo by Allergy Awesomeness.[/caption]
Raspberries: What's summer without frozen treats? These
Raspberry Chocolate Protein Popsicles will turn those fragrant berries into a refreshing--and energizing--cold snack.
Pears: This delicately flavored
Pear Almond Galette requires you to make a quick almond paste (super easy, even for beginners) and wrap it up with sliced pears in our
Gluten Free Pie Crust Mix.
Are you a farmer's market newbie, or a longtime fan? What's the most unusual thing you ever found at a farmer's market? Post in the comments below!
The Portland PSU Farmer's Market. Photo by Travel Portland.[/caption]
However, learning to shop your farmer's market may seem tricky. It's not like stopping by the grocery store--most are only one or two days per week (although your city may have multiple options in different neighborhoods throughout the week), they're only open certain hours, and many are seasonal. Not to mention: no grocery carts. The horror!
So why head to the farmer's market at all? First, there's the environmental impact: by eating seasonal produce and locally grown foods, you can shrink your carbon footprint while investing in local farmers and local growers businesses. Second, it's a wonderful way to try new things: I always spot something unusual and exciting when I go, and if I have a question about how to cook it, I've got the expert right there selling it to me. Third, it's delicious! So don't worry: with a few tips and a little preparation, you can engage with your local community and stock your refrigerator with a vibrant rainbow of culinary delights.
[caption id="attachment_1169780" align="aligncenter" width="650"]
A vendor making flower arrangements! Photo by Portland Farmer's Market.[/caption]
So many delicious cherry tomatoes! Photo by Portland Farmer's Market.[/caption]
A beautiful community event--that's also delicious! Photo by Portland Farmer's Market.[/caption]
Think about what local food and fresh produce you're getting and what you're going to need to bring them home safely. You don't want to smash those delicate, delectable peaches! If you're planning on buying meat products, seafood products, or dairy products, bring a cooler. If you drive, you can keep it in your car. If you're taking the bus, choose a cooler you can comfortably carry for long distances (I have a fabric-sided cooler I love).
Looking to reduce your waste? I often bring a Rubbermaid or similar container for berries--I tip the berries into it and return the paper basket to the vendor (they reuse them!). Not only does this reduce my trash, but it keeps my berries from being squished! You can often return things like egg cartons, too--bring last week's with you and give it back.
[caption id="attachment_1169785" align="aligncenter" width="770"]
Gorgeous leeks and shallots! Photo by OregonLive.[/caption]
Delicious Caribbean Caviar is bursting with fresh produce.[/caption]
Avocados: Our Caribbean Caviar recipe is full of delicious produce you can find at your farmer's market if you live in a warmer climate, including avocados, mango, limes and fresh mint. Eat it like a side or scoop it up with tortilla chips or crackers!
Corn: This Whole Wheat Yogurt Flatbread is the perfect light summer meal--they're like mini pizzas topped with fresh ricotta, corn, cherry tomatoes, and fresh parsley and mint. Yum!
Cucumber: Radicchio "bowls" cradle a delicious summery couscous salad with cucumbers, avocado, oranges and parsley in this recipe for Couscous Salad in Radicchio Bowls with Champagne-Orange Vinaigrette.
Eggplant: This simple, elegant Eggplant Tart with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese showcases the best summer has to offer: firm eggplant, flavorful fresh tomatoes and zingy goat cheese. Top with fresh basil to make it extra special!
[caption id="attachment_1169787" align="alignright" width="350"]
This Spicy Pilavi is wonderful for al fresco dining.[/caption]
Peppers: This Spicy Pilavi, a traditional Turkish dish, is bright with yellow peppers, tomatoes, garlic, green onions, and fresh parsley and mint. Lemon juice and red pepper add tongue-tingling flavor, while golden bulgur offers fiber, protein and iron.
Strawberries: Our popular Strawberry Basil Farro Salad combines certified organic farro and a piquant lemon-shallot vinaigrette with the freshest strawberries and basil.
Tomatoes: Does anything scream summer like a BLT? Our Paleo BLT uses our Paleo Baking Flour to make the perfect flatbread to hold fresh tomatoes, crisp lettuce and savory bacon.
Sweet Blueberry Chia Jam on toast. Photo by Julie Garner.[/caption]
Blueberries: Making jams and jellies are a farmer's market classic, but it's now easier than ever with our Blueberry Chia Jam! All you need are blackberries, chia seeds, agave and vanilla extract.
Cherries: This Cherry Almond Clafoutis is the perfect use for those fresh, in-season cherries! A browned-butter custard is flavored with cardamom and baked to perfection with jewel-like cherries.
Nectarines: The best part of this Seasonal Fruit Galette is you can truly make it year-round (perfect for those of you with winter farmer's markets). This simple-yet-impressive dessert is made with blueberries, blackberries and nectarines, but feel free to swap in whatever fresh fruits catch your fancy!
Peaches: Whatever you do, don't mention you plan to whip up this Peach Crisp with White Corn--you'll have people following you home! Tender peaches are spiced with cinnamon and cardamom and enveloped in a topping made from butter, brown sugar, and white corn grits.
[caption id="attachment_1169791" align="alignright" width="350"]
These Raspberry Chocolate Popsicles are an energy-packed treat! Photo by Allergy Awesomeness.[/caption]
Raspberries: What's summer without frozen treats? These Raspberry Chocolate Protein Popsicles will turn those fragrant berries into a refreshing--and energizing--cold snack.
Pears: This delicately flavored Pear Almond Galette requires you to make a quick almond paste (super easy, even for beginners) and wrap it up with sliced pears in our Gluten Free Pie Crust Mix.
Are you a farmer's market newbie, or a longtime fan? What's the most unusual thing you ever found at a farmer's market? Post in the comments below! 