So you're standing at a booth at the farmers market, wondering: Can I strike a deal with this vendor? Are their products really local? How do I know if this stuff is organic, raised on pasture, all natural, etc.? Here are some tips and tricks to navigating your local farmers market without feeling like a goose lost in a snowstorm.
-Look them up before you go: Most farmers markets have a website with links to each vendor. You can find a lot of answers there. Check out some vendors at these farmers markets around Cincinnati:
Hyde Park: Hydeparkfarmersmarket.com
OTR Findley Market: www.findlaymarket.org
Newport, KY: www.newportfarmersmarket.org
Oxford Farmers Market: oxfordfarmersmarket.com
Or find a market near you at this handy dandy map I made: Cincinnati Farmers Markets
-Where's the Organic?: If the vendor is growing certified Organic or using Organic methods, they will want you to know and often have signs on display. This also goes true for the opposite, if there is no indicator at their booth, than its likely they use other practices. Always feel free to ask, but keep in mind it comes across a lot softer to ask the vendor what sort of growing practices they use as opposed to, "Are you Organic?"
-Haggling: I love a good deal. I especially love haggling in unlikely places like department stores and grocery stores! The farmer's market however, gets special treatment from me. These farmers are typically setting prices determined by the amount of time and labor it takes to grow each particular plant. That means the hours of planting, transplanting thinning, weeding by hand, weeding by hoe, weeding by tractor, bug squashing, watering, and more weeding. For us in the midwest, a lot of those hours are put in during sweltering heat. It's not easy, and the hourly wage often comes out to below or up to minimum wage. I do however ask if vendors are offering any bulk sales or have blemished products for a cheaper price. This type of haggling is fair game and a vendor will likely be
happy you asked.
-Chit Chat: Vendors at the farmers market are often some of the most interesting, knowledgeable and friendly people you'll meet. I strongly encourage asking them questions, telling them what you made for dinner with the products you bought from them, and getting to know them as people. The relationship part of the market is one of the coolest pieces it offers.
Keep in mind however, the line! Keep your comments brief and keep moving if there are more than 3-4 other shoppers there. If its important, than come back when no ones around.
Keep in mind however, the line! Keep your comments brief and keep moving if there are more than 3-4 other shoppers there. If its important, than come back when no ones around.
A few more light suggestions:
-Consider bringing some of your own bags. This might save you and vendors time.
-Keep a flexible grocery list. It could be that none of the vendors have some of the items on your master meal plan list. If you're ready to make a meal plan out of your loot and not the other way around then you will likely go home happy!
-Try to remember vendors names. Especially the ones you like to frequent most
Related Posts: Farmer's Market Lingo!
Do you have a good farmers market story or Etiquette Question? What are your "Must Haves" at the farmers market?
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