Buying fresh produce from farmers markets is a festival for the senses, with each stall offering different products. With jewel-like fruits, crisp vegetables, free-range eggs and freshly baked breads and artisan wares, farmers’ markets are growing in due to the quality of the goods offered and the fun atmosphere of mingling with other shoppers on a warm day. A great place to pick up healthier versions of your staples, farmers’ markets also give you the opportunity to explore other produce you might not have seen before at the supermarket.
Vegetables and fruits from the farmers’ market are usually better in quality and similar in price, if not less expensive, than the stuff at grocery markets, especially when it comes to organic produce.
All the options can lead to going slightly overboard in spending—here are some tips on how to reap the best of the market while staying budget-savvy:
1. Write a list before you go… True for food shopping, regardless of local market or supermarket, write down all the things you will need for breakfast, lunch and dinner (and snacks!) for the week. This way, you will not accidentally forget something you needed and be forced to buy it at a higher price at a later time.
The list will serve as a good guideline of what you plan on and are able to consume during the week. Adding too many extras to your shopping bag that are not on your list may lead to waste.
Do some research online to find out what certain foods contain the most vitamins that you may want to invest in. This can be especially helpful to do if you or a loved one has a nutrient deficiency.
2. …but leave wiggle room. Keeping the list flexible is key if staying on budget is an important constraint—sometimes a similar fruit or vegetable is available for less than your chosen item. Substituting the less expensive one for the pricier option can satisfy your needs while saving money.
3. Shop around. Whether this is your first time at the market, or the fiftieth, wander around the various stalls and compare quality and prices. You may have a favorite stall for heirloom tomatoes, but if it’s in season, several other farmers are likely to have the fruit as well.
It doesn’t hurt to browse and see what’s available—you may be pleasantly surprised by a new farm (and save yourself money in the process).
Image courtesy of Ikuni / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
4. Don’t shop with your eyes or stomach. It’s easy to be seduced by the pretty displays, wonderful scents or early varieties of a longed-for fruit, but sticking to your list and resisting impulse buys is the best way to stay on budget. If you have a difficult time restraining yourself, plan for one indulgence per trip, as something inevitably will catch your eye or nose.
5. Buy in bulk—if you will actually use all of the produce. Better deals are to be had if you buy large quantities of produce at a time. If you know you will use an entire flat of strawberries because you planning on creating preserves, you can negotiate a better price than buying by the basket. Make sure you actually will use (cook, can, freeze, or otherwise consume and preserve) the produce that you buy in bulk. You’re not saving money if you end up throwing away fruits and vegetables that you didn’t consume.
6. Timing matters. For the best selection, shop early when the market first opens. If you’re looking to save a few dollars, shop later towards the end of the market (or in bad weather). Early birds are sure to snatch up the rare and high-in-demand goods before the rest of the shoppers arrive, therefore, if you want something in particular, you may want to join the ranks of early customers for first pick.
On the other hand, if your list contains mostly staples that multiple stalls will carry and are unlikely to run out, you can get great deals at the end of the market day. Most farmers will want to avoid driving back with unsold produce, so you might be able to negotiate better prices on the fruits and vegetables you want.
7. BYOB. Bring your own reusable bag or shopping cart to carry your purchases. Some stalls will have plastic bags, but not all will. Also, bring small bills—change is hard to come by at farmers markets.
Eating locally is not only healthy, but also wallet-friendly. Explore your local farmers’ market for the best fruits and vegetables of the season—and with these tips, save money on your grocery bill while buying better quality goods.
Virginia Cunningham is a health and fitness writer for Northwest. Her writing specializes in health and covers everything from alternative medicine to sustainability and special needs advocacy. When shopping for produce at her local farmers market, she makes sure to get the best deals and quality items.
