If you’re like me, you love a good Saturday morning trip to the local farmers market. There’s nothing quite like sipping on a fresh cold brew while strolling past stands bursting with vibrant tomatoes, leafy greens, or jars of local honey. Whether you’re a seasoned market-goer or planning your first visit, here are my top 10 tips for making the most of your farmers market visit.
I’ve learned these lessons over years of visiting weekend markets in cities and small towns alike. Trust me, these tips will help you shop smarter, eat fresher, and maybe even save a little money along the way.
1. Bring Cash
I’ll never forget the time I showed up at a new market with only a debit card. I had to sheepishly put back a basket of strawberries I was dying to buy because the stand didn’t take cards. Rookie mistake.
While many vendors now accept card payments (especially via apps like Square or Venmo), some smaller operations are still cash-only. Also singles and fives are gold at the market. Nobody wants to break your $20 bill for a $2 bundle of herbs.
A tip from experience: Stick your bills in a flat, zippered pouch or even a repurposed pencil case. It keeps you organized and ready to pay quickly.
2. Go Early (or Go Late, Strategically)
There’s a sweet spot in farmers market timing, and it depends on your goals:
If you’re after those peak-season strawberries or that legendary sourdough that sells out in 30 minutes, get there early. I’m talking right when they open, coffee in hand.
But if your goal is to score discounts, show up near the end. Farmers don’t want to lug their goods back to the truck, and they’re more likely to offer a bargain on ripe fruit, slightly bruised produce, or leftover bunches of herbs.
One summer, I arrived late at my local market and ended up scoring a big discount on peaches that were just a bit too ripe for the next day. The farmer didn’t want to haul them home, and I turned them into the best cobbler I’ve ever made.
But if you’re eyeing something specific, like the really good sourdough bread that always sells out, you’ve got to set that alarm.
3. Pack Smart with Reusable Totes and Produce Bags
Reusable bags are the way to go. They’re better for the planet, sturdier than plastic, and won’t fall apart halfway through your haul. Also, farmers markets are all about sustainability, and a sturdy tote or two goes a long way.
- One big canvas bag for bulkier items like melons or lettuce heads
- A few mesh produce bags for delicate things like berries or herbs
- A cooler bag if I’m planning to buy dairy, meat, or eggs
If it’s a hot day and you’re stocking up on dairy or meat, bring an insulated cooler bag or even a small ice pack. I made the mistake of buying soft cheese and then leaving it in the car while I ran errands. Big regret. Your future cheese boards will thank you for thinking ahead.
4. Talk to the Farmers
When you start chatting with the folks behind the table, you’re not just making small talk. You’re getting insights you can’t find at the grocery store:
- What’s in peak season
- How to store or cook unfamiliar veggies
- When a particular crop will be ready next week
One of my favorite finds ever? A curly green vegetable I didn’t recognize. I asked the vendor, and he introduced me to garlic scapes, and pointed me to a recipe for making garlic scape pesto. Now I look forward to them every spring.
Farmers are passionate about what they grow. When you ask questions, you’ll learn so much, and probably gain a little more kitchen confidence.
5. Know What’s in Season
If you’re wondering why there are 10 different varieties of squash in August, or why strawberries are suddenly gone in September, it all comes down to whats in season.
Understanding seasonal produce helps you know what to expect at each market trip, plan your meals more easily, and appreciate the flavor and freshness of truly ripe food.
I like to keep a cute seasonal produce chart on my fridge. It helps me know what to expect, and get excited about. I also follow a few local farms on Instagram. They post regular updates about what they’re harvesting, and what’s coming soon. Markets are also the best place to learn about varieties you won’t see in supermarkets like purple beans, white cucumbers, or striped tomatoes.
6. Try Something New (and Ask How to Use It)
The first time I bought kohlrabi, I had no idea what I was doing. But I asked the vendor how they liked to cook it, and they said, “Peel it, slice it raw, and sprinkle with sea salt and lemon juice.” Instant favorite snack.
Other farmers market surprises I’ve fallen in love with:
- Garlic scapes
- Lemon cucumbers
- Patty pan squash
- Black garlic
- Purple sweet potatoes
Don’t be afraid to experiment. Buy that weird-looking heirloom tomato. Try purple carrots. Ask for a sample if you’re unsure about a fruit’s sweetness or texture. Markets are the best place to expand your culinary comfort zone. They may become pantry staples or just fun one-time experiments.
7. Bring a List, but Be Flexible
I’m a planner, so I usually show up with a rough meal plan and shopping list. But I leave room to improvise.
Say I planned on buying broccoli, but the stand has gorgeous Romanesco instead. Or the basil looks wilted, but the dill is thriving. Be ready to pivot!
Here’s how I balance structure and spontaneity:
- Write a flexible list: “green veggie,” “fruit for snacking,” “something for grilling”
- Shop in general categories rather than specific items
- Let seasonal finds inspire your weekly meals
Being flexible also means you’ll waste less food. You’ll buy what looks good and build your meals around it, rather than forcing produce into a recipe where it doesn’t belong.
8. Don’t Forget the Extras, Eggs, Cheese, Flowers, and More
Markets aren’t just for veggies. I always make a loop for:
- Farm-fresh eggs (the yolks are so rich and golden)
- Local cheese (a wedge of aged cheddar or some funky goat cheese)
- Artisanal bread (carbs are essential, obviously)
- Honey or jam
- Cut flowers for the table
And don’t sleep on the coffee stands, breakfast burrito trucks, or kombucha on tap. These extras turn a simple grocery shopping trip into a fun Saturday morning ritual.
Some of my best weekends start with a market latte and a croissant eaten on the curb while chatting with neighbors.
9. Bring a Friend (or Your Kiddo!)
Some of my best memories are with friends or family at the farmers market. You swap cooking tips, split a pastry, or help each other carry heavy bags. One friend often brings her dog, who gets lots of attention and pets from friendly vendors.
Farmers Markets are often:
- Kid-friendly (lots of free samples, music, and open spaces)
- A great way to catch up with friends
- Ideal for sparking inspiration if you’re in a cooking rut
- A way to connect with your community
If you go regularly, you’ll start to recognize faces, both vendors and fellow shoppers. I’ve even made a few friendships from chatting in line at the apple stand.
10. Make It a Weekly Tradition
I’ve been going to my neighborhood market nearly every Saturday for the last three years. I know some of the names of the farmers. I know when the strawberries will show up, when the apples shift from tart to sweet, and which baker makes the best rye. It’s like a rhythm of the seasons, and life.
When you make your farmers market visit a habit, you:
- Eat fresher and healthier
- Connect with your local food system
- Waste less (because you’re buying what’s in season and using it quickly)
- Feel more in tune with your community
My Saturday morning market ritual is one of my favorite ways to slow down and savor the weekend.. I brew coffee, grab my bags, and head out early. Some weeks I only grab a few items. Other weeks I stock up. But every time, I come home inspired to cook, eat, and live a little more intentionally.
Making the most of your farmers market visit is about more than just shopping, it’s about connecting: with your food, your local growers, and your own sense of curiosity and inspiring creativity in the kitchen. Don’t feel like you have to buy everything or know all the names of every green vegetable. Just show up, take a walk, try something new, and enjoy.
And if you’ve been hitting the market for years, I’d love to know, what are your favorite tips or market finds?
Until next Saturday,
Bri & Cat
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