An early season market haul

I’ll admit it, my first few trips to the farmer’s market were pretty much like trips to a grocery store. Most of us are just not used to shopping directly from IRL farmers. While I can respect shopping a farmer’s market like a grocery store (you’ll still get super-fresh, tasty, nutritious foods) …for me, part of the Farmer’s Market experience is being able to connect with the farmers. I’m looking to knock out a few chains in the old food chain by visiting. And then there’s the plain old fact that the food tastes phenomenal! Sometimes even better than even your own home-grown produce, I mean these people are the pros after all. Through the last decade I’ve gathered some tips to help you make the most of your market visit.

Ask Away!

I get it- at first asking questions can be a weird thing; maybe we’re too “Minnesota Nice”, or maybe we’re just not used to being able to ask anything about our food. But really, isn’t getting closer to ‘Farm to Table’ eating why you’re at the Farmer’s Market? Don’t be worried about offending a farmer by asking them why their farm isn’t certified organic; you’ll learn so much about the how and why of their farming techniques you can’t help but feel good about eating it.

Here are some questions to get you started:

“Where is your farm?”
“When was this picked?”
“Do you use organic methods?”
 “Any new crops coming next week?”

These questions should get most farmers going! They’ve worked hard to grow and bring this food to market, their name and livelihood is dependent upon people caring enough to buy the food they grow again and again (another 180 from the supermarket).

White Bear Lake Farmers Market 2017

Powers of Observation

“There’s visual evidence behind the display table to give you big clues to how the farmer handles their food,” that’s a tip straight from a farmer who’s been selling at markets for almost 30 years.

It makes sense; if a farmer sets a tray of produce onto hot pavement (which will wilt it) at the market, how are they handling that food when no one is looking? Are there re-used containers, open or closed containers in the vehicle, coolers?

When my kids were at that ‘suicide watch’ stage of development (aka most of toddlerhood), I’d feel bad asking a farmer a question only to have to abandon the conversation to chase after my offspring. I still learned a ton  by hanging back (fine, call it eves dropping) and I kept coming back for more!

Not quite speed dating, but…
Just because the first farmer you come across has beautiful cucumbers doesn’t mean the farmers down the way don’t have beautiful cucumbers too- maybe grown organically and less expensive. The Real Estate law of “Location, Location, Location” applies to farmer’s markets as well. Take your time and shop around. The farmers’ stalls stay put, you get to peruse and compare- it’s actually really fun once you get comfy!

Happy shoppers on opening day at the White Bear Lake Farmers Market.

The More the Merrier

Bring friends with you to the market. You’ll be more likely to linger and maybe a wee bit bolder to ask farmers your burning questions. *Bonus* you’ll have someone to keep your kids from eating all the bread/caramel corn/honey samples at the next booth over (yes, I’ve learned my lesson now).

Getting to know these hard working, knowledgeable farmers adds so much more than a few extra ears of corn in your bag (which farmers have been known to do after building a relationship with you.) These are the people who know what is coming into season next week, and what will be gone until next year. Valuable info that helps you plan meals around the freshest produce!

I have no idea who this guy is, I just could not decide who my favorite farmer is…

Get Social

To take your connection to the next level, go ahead and ask your favorite farmer if they’re online. You’d be amazed at how many farmers share their stories on one or more social networks. You’ll get to see stories about the ups and downs of farming, healthy recipes for what’s in season and maybe even some adorable baby chick, lamb and calf photos- who wouldn’t want a few of these stories rolling through their feed!?!

Some of my favorite social sites so far:
Facebook:  Heinel Farms  &  Fresh Earth Farms
Instagram: Winnowburrow Farm  &  The Dirt Mag
Blog:  Broadfork Farm

Do you have a Family Farm’s social site you love? Please share it with us!

The early bird gets the… Melon

If you’re craving a watermelon, and they’re just coming on, get there early because there’s no warehouse storage facilities here. Farmers tend to harvest everything that’s ripe and within the realm of what they can sell that day. Example: If the weather is supposed to be rainy, the farmers won’t expect as many shoppers at market, they might not harvest as much, but the clouds blow away and it’s a beautiful summer morning. Well, just see how many farmers are completely sold out before the end of market time. This is part of the local food game. If you think about it, they’re just being good stewards of the land. I mean they have to cut it close, because just like you hate to throw away a bag of spinach- so do they.

*ps- Composting a purchased bag of greens is worlds away from tossing your lovingly home-grown greens; believe me!

Procrastinators Rewards

Showing up late has its advantages at the market. Since these are real farmers in charge of their own sales they can decide to take some $ off the top if the market is closing soon and no one was interested in broccoli that day.  Or if you buy by the case/bushel rather than a few at  a time. Which is a great way to stock that freezer with nutrient rich locally grown food for the long cold winter nights. For some pointers on freezing look no further than our very own University of Minnesota and their easy to follow resources for How to Freeze Produce. Or just watch THIS U of MN VIDEO narrated by Forks in the Dirt guest blogger, Megan Baumler.

At my hometown White Bear Lake Farmer’s Market, about 30 minutes before closing some farmers are ready to sell at a discount, but timing probably depends on the size and attendance of the market. Also, the veggies will be picked through, but anything you buy there will be fresher by far than a grocery store. But be prepared if the hot new item is gone by the end of the market.

A Few More Tips

Any decent article on farmer’s market how-to should include these points as well:

• Bring your own bags (in my book re-useable bags include Target bags that actually do a better job of keeping in moisture than fabric bags).
• Bring Cash (duh).
• Know that you can use SNAP benefits at most markets (check the market website)
• Bring a cooler (there are amazing meats and dairy at these markets too).
• If your low on self-control, (like yours truly) feed your crew first, trust me here!
• SMILE! You are lucky to be able to shop this variety of lovingly grown food

I urge you to get out there and visit your local farmer’s market- and I dare you to wait the extra week or two to buy from your local farmer’s market what the grocery store has delivered from down south. Your taste buds, the local economy, and even your nutritional intake will be improved!

New to the Farmer’s Market Game? Here’s the MN Grown list of Famer’s Markets,   it may take me a while to make it to all 185 Farmer’s Markets in MN, but I’m going to go ahead and DIG IN!

Michelle

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