A Healthy Vision

Shopping at a farmers market is the easiest way to enjoy locally grown, fresh produce. With a wide array of options and some unfamiliar fruits and vegetables, the farmers market is a wonderful way to have a refreshed shopping experience.

Here are six tips that can help keep the farmers market shopping trip fun and easier:

• Different seasons, different reasons to visit a farmers market. Fruits and vegetables are harvested during different times throughout the growing seasons.

In the spring, the selections include leavy greens, herbs, asparagus, radishes and early berries like strawberries.

In the summer, you’ll find berries, corn, cucumbers, peaches, peppers, summer squash and tomatoes.

Moving into fall, you’ll be able to buy locally grown apples, winter squash, pumpkins, pears, root vegetables and hearty greens.

• Plan ahead. If you like meal planning, a trip to the farmers market is a great way to get what you need for the week. Look at recipes and make a list so that you can shop at the market just like you would at a grocery store. Of course, you may need to be open-minded and creative since vendors may run out of items you’re looking for. If you need something that may be in high demand, try to get to the market as early as possible.

• Ask questions. Come across a vegetable you’re not familiar with? Don’t know what a certain fruit tastes like? Most vendors will be happy to talk to you about their products, including how they’re grown, what they taste like and how to best prepare them.

• Take cash and small change. It’s a good idea to have some cash on you as not all vendors take credit cards. Small bills will make things easier for you and the vendor.

• Buy in bulk. You can often get the best prices and flavors when you purchase items in bulk at the peak of their harvest season. If you’re worried that your food could go to waste, freezing, canning and drying are some great ways to preserve those seasonal flavors.

• Load up on whole foods. Unlike a grocery store, most of the items sold at a farmers market tend to be unprocessed whole foods, which have no added saturated fat, salt or sugar. Eating lots of whole foods can help you lower the amount of these additives in your diet, which is good for your cholesterol levels, blood pressure and weight.

Now, you just need to know where to go. Here’s a list of farmers markets by county. Have fun shopping!

Photo: Anne Preble on Unsplash