What you should be buying at your local farmers market

Your local farmers market is a vastly different shopping experience than a standard grocery store. Local, seasonal products can help your kitchen stay grounded in the natural rhythms of the year while maximizing flavor and health! You don’t have to source every ingredient from a farmers market, but choosing a select few items can make a big impact in your weekly menu!

Eggs

A hen who has had access to pasture can make the humble egg the star of your table. Compared to premium brands at a grocery store, eggs from a farmers market can be very reasonably priced and offer unbeatable freshness. You may not be able to replace all of your weekly eggs with local ones, but for recipes where the eggs themselves are at the heart of the dish, you’ll truly taste the difference!

Highly seasonal or perishable produce

A vine-ripened tomato in the peak of its season is unmatched. Peaches, nectarines, tomatoes, asparagus, berries, fresh figs, and melons are prime examples of produce that is substantially more delicious when it is picked at its prime and consumed shortly after. Maximizing freshness really pays off with these more delicate fruits and veggies!

Meat for a special occasion

Happy cows simply taste better! A specialty steak or roast from local, humanely raised livestock makes the perfect simple, yet elevated, dinner. The prices associated with a small farm’s operations can be steep, but the quality and taste are sure to make your special occasion memorable. 

Herbs in bulk

No need to settle for sad little boxes of pricey fresh herbs from the supermarket. Buying large quantities of herbs from the farmers market can be a price-conscious way to stock up. When basil, mint, or oregano is growing rampant, vendors may sell bulk quantities of herbs for a surprisingly affordable price. You can use it fresh, make pesto, freeze herb cubes, or even dry it to use later!

Unique specialty ingredients

A new and unexpected ingredient can add an exciting twist to your usual meals. Specialty mushrooms, artisan cheeses, heirloom tomatoes, or obscure cucumber varieties are all well worth trying! Your wallet may not be able to try everything that catches your eye, but one splurge on an artisan ingredient can truly be savored.

Honey

Locally harvested honey is more delicious and often cleaner than many of the highly processed options at the grocery store. Raw and unfiltered honey retains its antioxidants and enzymes that are often destroyed by the commercial pasteurization process.

The slower pace of a trip to the farmers market lets you lean into the changing seasons and savor the richness each harvest has to offer. You don’t have to stick to a stringent grocery list, but these guidelines will help you make the most of your next farmers market excursion!