Get the Most from Your Farmer's Market

Now that you know where and when the farmer's market is learn how to make the most of your trip.

Let the market write you list: choose fruits and vegetables that look most appealing to you. Go with some staples like lettus, tomato, and carrots but then browse and find what is looking the best that week. Maybe one vender has amazing looking watermelon.

Comparison shop: walk through once just browsing then walk through again knowing the other prices and where the produce looks the best. This way you don't buy something early and then find at the end a better looking, better priced item.

Buy from all food groups: they carry more than just produce at the farmers market. Look for fresh meats, cheeses, eggs and other local products. Don't pass up foods unique to your area.

Choose a mix of old and new: don't buy only new things then get home and have no clue how to prepare any of it. Buy some staples and maybe one or two new items and ask the farmers how to prepare them.

Buy at the peak and save: when local crops are at their peak buy you can buy them at a much lower price than out of season. Plus they often taste much better.

Share the harvest: if you go wild at the market and can't possibly eat everything you bought share it with your friends and family, they will definitley appreciate it.