What NOT to Buy at a Farmers Market
I love farmers markets. I do suffer from "can't get out of bed early enough" syndrome and usually miss the good stuff. But even when I do drag myself out of bed, I find some amazing produce that is tastier and healthier than anything found in the supermarket. When it comes to fruits and vegetables, farmers markets are tough to beat.
Now, having said that, I talked to some farmers market regulars who gave me advice on things you shouldn't buy. It's not a long list, and it's by no means a huge expose on shoddy produce or overpriced garbage. No, this is more of a guide to stop you spending a little more than you should on a few items that should, ideally, be bought elsewhere. (See also: Are Farmers Markets Frugal or a Luxury?)
I should also add that every farmers market is different, so while these guidelines are generally worth following, some may not apply to the markets in your area. I know I'll get a lot of comments pertaining to that, so I thought it best to disclose it first. So here is my list of what NOT to buy at your farmers market.
1. The First Items You See!
I know, bit of a broad one to start the list, but it is applicable to everything at the market. You will be greeted with a plethora of great fruits, veggies, and other items that are both good-looking and nutritious. But don't start loading up your eco-friendly shopping bag right from the get-go. Walk the stalls, note the prices, and come back when you can make a more informed decision. Cherries that are just as succulent but twice the price will leave a bitter taste in your mouth, and these places don't issue refunds.
2. Pristine Fruit and Veggies
We're a strange bunch. We buy based on looks, but eat for the flavor. As such, farmers and other vendors will knock-down the price of fruits and veggies that are odd-shaped, have peck-marks, or are generally just not as good-looking as the cream of the crop. Don't let that put you off. Avoid the perfect-looking stuff and ask for the discounted produce, but do so with one caveat — make sure you're not buying old, bruised, and rotten merchandise. It's not unknown for some stalls to pass this off as "misshapen" when in actuality they're spoiled and almost inedible. (See also: 7 Ways to Make Use of Sub-Par Produce)
3. Anything That's Out of Season
This shouldn't be available anyway, as farmers markets pride themselves on fresh, seasonal produce. But if you know your calendars, you know what to avoid. If someone is selling asparagus in September, you may be buying something that was previously frozen or bought cheap from a supermarket.
4. Honey
What could be wrong with honey? Well, nothing. The honey sold at these markets is good honey, better than the stuff found in chain supermarkets. However, a lot of the honey being sold at the market is being done through a third party. If you want to save some money, look at the label, find the beekeeper who produced the honey, and buy it direct from the source. Of course, if that beekeeper is miles and miles away, rethink your strategy.
5. Clothing
You go to a farmers market to buy produce fresh from the farm. At least, that's the goal. But over time, farmers markets have evolved to offer a little something for everyone. The strategy behind it is simple enough…people come for the fruits and veggies but invariably bring a family member or friend. And if they don't buy the produce, they may walk away with a nice pair of socks or a woolly hat. Well, it goes without saying that most of the time, these are not good quality items, and they have been marked up as well. Save your money for the incredible produce and leave the clothes shopping for another time.
6. Baked Goods
There's nothing like a home-cooked apple pie or raspberry turnover, but usually the people selling these have a local store somewhere in town. And they not only have to cover the costs of running a store, but renting a booth at the farmers market as well. In turn, that means these items are often marked up from the prices they would usually charge in their local store. It's also a good place to sell produce that is not quite as fresh as the pies that come fresh out of the oven and onto a shelf in their store. Saying that, I do know some bakers who prepare the pies fresh that morning just for the farmers market. It's a good idea to grab their information and pop by their store later in the week. You'll get the same fresh product at a lower price. If you have to drive hours to get there, well, then you may just want to pay extra and save gas money.
7. Chocolate
Chocolatiers would starve if they only sold their wares at the local market, once a week. It's a high-cost item to make, and they need a good return, so they almost always have a store somewhere in town where the chocolate is a little cheaper. Hunt it down and get yourself the same chocolate without paying the middleman. Freshness is not as much of a worry here though; chocolate does not spoil anywhere near as quickly as a baked apple pie or a slab of meat. Which brings us to…
8. Meat and Seafood
Although it's tempting to buy organic, grass-fed beef, wild boar sausages, or fresh salmon, it's difficult to judge how long these items have been sitting in the sun on a bed of melting ice. You probably won't have any sanitation or health issues, but it's better to get the phone number and address of the seller and pick it up direct from them. And if it's frozen, well, you've just eliminated one reason to buy fresh from the farmer's market. Of course, eggs are perfectly fine to buy as they don't need refrigeration (although you will lengthen their life by popping them in the fridge when you get home). And they're usually really tasty when they're fresh from the farm.
9. Gift Baskets
Another way to mark up produce, canned goods, and other fineries is to assemble them in a gift basket, tie a ribbon around the top and sell them for a nice fat profit. Unless you're heading off to a birthday party the second you leave, and have no time to go shopping, this is not a good way to spend your money. As with most gifts that offer convenience, you pay for it. The items in the basket can be bought separately for much less, and you don't have to get any unwanted items in the process.
10. Meals from Food Carts
This last one is a sticking point within my circle of friends. I equate ready-to-eat food available at farmers markets with concession stands at fairgrounds and county fairs. A recent one in my area was charging $5 for a small cup of chili. And that could be washed down with a small $3 cup of iced tea. No refills. I think there are better food deals to be had elsewhere.
However, a counter argument is that it's all part of the experience, and that you get to taste some great home-cooked food that you know has been made with fresh ingredients. For me, I'll usually pass unless the price is right.
What would you avoid at farmers markets? And to add a little meat to the discussion, what should you ONLY buy at farmers markets? Share your ideas.
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Additional photo credits: BrockVicky, MasterMaq
Tagged: Food and Drink, Green Living, Shopping, farmers market, fresh fruit, organic groceries, vegetables
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NUMBER 1 IS SO TRUE! This happened to me recently. Luckily, I didn't buy too much from the first stand. I go frequently to farmers markets. I was in a more affluent area so I thought maybe the prices were just a little more. As I moved around, there was a local farm that goes to all of the markets that had cheaper prices.
I try to stay away from anything other than food. I will say I have been suckered by really good bakeries that sell there. It's just nice to have the convenience of buying something I would normally buy in the same spot.
The counter argument to your point about meat is that some of the farmers don't sell in stores - and due to processing availability and volume, frozen's the only practical way to go. Frozen meat straight from the farmer who raised it 5 miles from where you're standing is SO MUCH better than fresh from the supermarket...
I second that. I have had pasture raised, grass fed beef from a local farmer that was frozen (but butchered just a week ago) and I was floored by the incredible taste of that beef. Sooo much better than fresh from the supermarket!
I can only assume you're talking here about farmers' markets in large population areas where you can't get to know the vendors. If so, this seems to be good advice. However, I live in a small town in a rural area, and can say that our market only allows the honey producer to sell honey, and the baked goods cost the same as they do down the road at the shop. (And they have definitely been baked that morning. I know the bakers!) As far as the meat vendors, well, again, we know them. We can see the meat and the coolers right there. I wouldn't buy seafood, but duh - I'm in a landlocked state.
Again, I don't think this post is BAD advice, but it's not that black and white, and local producers need all the support they can get. Please don't scare people away!
Exactly! I live in Oregon and while not land-locked, we have some amazing U-Pick farms that offer up the very best of our local crops. I also live in a very rural setting where 'supermarket-style' Farmers Markets don't exist. Your advice may be best directed at those in the city. I used to live in Seattle where the finest Farmers Market lives, the advice should be more like a cautionary tale, not set in stone.
Hey Vermonter, well put. This isn't a bad post or bad advice necessarily but a few things are off. Farmers really need our support, especially this year - don't scare potential customers away!
ITA. Most of this list doesn't apply around here. Most of the markets don't let you sell things if you didn't make or grow it yourself. A lot of the people selling do NOT have a shop (some do, but many don't) and go to more then one farmers market per week. A neighbor of mine sells beef he raises, he sells from his farm and from a few farmers markets in the big city nearby. Most city people won't drive all the way out to him (it's only about 45 minutes) but they will buy at the market near them. He get's his meat back from the processor frozen and then keeps it that way. And everyone here has to keep meat (and eggs) in coolers until it's sold.
Many farmers markets, including both of the markets my family belongs to, are producer-only markets. This means that vendors can only sell what they, themselves, produced. So, there's no buying and reselling – everything was grown or produced locally. I would argue, also, that baked goods are great from the farmers market. My husband has a store, but he works very long hours all day Friday to bake items for the market the following morning. There's no selling old breads for him, and, frankly, it's a little insulting that someone would imply that.
I completely disagree with you on several of these points. I work at farmers' markets and manage farmers' markets. When you shop at farmers' markets, you want to find the BEST deal for you money, not the CHEAPEST. Talk to the farmers and find out their growing habits. It might be worth your money to pay a little more if the produce is not coated with Roundup or pesticides. Frozen meat is the ONLY way to buy meat. Trust me, all meat in the grocery store was frozen at one time. I would not buy meat anywhere BUT the farmers market 'cause I know where it came from and how healthy it was. This is not a helpful article for anyone. If you can't be helpful, be quiet.
Numbers 1, 3, and 9 are pretty much generally true. The rest is not helpful like you said. Finding out the rules of the farmers market you visit helps more then any generalized list. Most of the markets in my area don't allow you to do any resale (like the honey mentioned above). And most only allow the certified food trucks (if they allow any 'ready to eat' food at all) that you can see around office areas at lunch on weekdays which are becoming really trendy for foodies.
In addition to not buying produce that isn't in season, don't buy anything that can't be grown in your area (bananas are a good example). In California, certified farmers markets have to segregate the certified (locally grown/produced by the seller) from the noncertified (everything else). And the certified growers have to display their certificate.
Eggs are a great buy at a farmers market (although we now have a friend with too many chickens who gives us fresh ones free). Tomatoes in season - not greenhouse or hydroponically grown; and the funny-looking heirlooms are usually the tastiest. Fresh newly harvested potatoes of all varieties are wonderful; as is freshly picked lettuce - iceberg straight from a farmer is amazingly better than what stores sell.
Where I am it's hard to not get greenhouse (or more accurately cold frame) tomatoes in early summer (July) and fall (Oct). Without it we have tomatoes only in Aug and Sept (with maybe some leakage into late July and early Oct). Of course some of that is just starting the seedlings (which can't be put out without protection until mid to late May).
Eggs are great from the farmers market. Most are pastured if not free range. Same for meat. Fruit is wonderful and vine/tree ripened (like strawberries that taste like strawberries instead of like styrofoam).
I second the comment about meat from a Farmers Market being far superior your Grocery Store options, even if frozen. We buy from a farm 2 counties away that sells for much higher prices at our local coops and isnt available at traditional grocery stores. Plus, their packages all contain processing dates. Full disclosure. Through the relationship I built with them, we were able to order a 1/2 cow - grass fed & organic - for significantly less per pound than we would have paid in grocery store (or even Farmers Market) prices.
Don't over look the meat!
Really? I don't think your market is indicative of all farmers' markets. Automatically turning up your nose to certain products negates the community aspect of markets. Get to know the growers, bakers, producers and farmers and make the decision to buy based on the best quality for the price. Pass unless the price is right? Sure, we have to make decisions based on cost, but the decision to pass should be made first on quality.
The farmers market in the town we recently moved from (haven't found a famers market in our new town yet) was in a permanent (though still open on the sides) structure that had electrical outlets. Farmers would keep their perishables (meat, etc.) in powered coolers in the shade of the permanent structure. I know that this isn't the case for a lot of farmer's markets, but I never had any qualms about buying meat at my old farmer's market.
I never, ever buy tomatoes anywhere but at a farmer's market. They're just not worth the price unless they're locally grown. When I have my own yard, I plan to grow tomatoes, but until then, it's the farmer's market or no tomatoes for me.
Sorry "adman" but I am not buying what you’re selling. It is apparent that you are writing on a subject that you know little or nothing about. I wonder if you are mistaking your local swap meet for a Farmer's Market. Let's review at least 9 out of 10 or more ways that you got this article wrong:
1. Do you really think that people need to be told to not buy the first items they see? Really? Most people, if not everyone, go to these Farmer's Markets for the entire experience of walking through the various stands and browsing the quality (and price) of the fruits and vegetables. Honestly, how many people do you know stop at the first stand, buy the first items they see, and go home? Nobody!
2. "Avoid the perfect looking stuff" -- are you serious? I am all for buying good tasting deformed fruit/veggies or shopping for a better price -- but that does not mean I should arbitrarily avoid the perfect looking stuff.
3. Well, you at least got this one right.
4. How many local beekeepers do you know? If any of us knew local beekeepers (other than those found at these Farmer's Markets), then I am sure we would consider going directly to them. But unless you live in some rural area, it is not likely. Besides, in my experience, most of the people selling honey at the Farmer's Markets ARE indeed affiliated directly with the Beekeeper. In any case, it is more convenient to purchase such honey while I am at the Farmer’s Market, rather than drive to the beekeeper separately. The savings, if any, is minimal.
5. If people want to buy socks at Farmer's Market, then let them. Who cares? Besides, the prices actually tend to be lower, not higher, than retail. Do we really need to concern ourselves whether the socks are "quality" or not? These are just socks, after all.
6. Despite your implications to the contrary, there is nothing wrong with buying baked goods at a Farmer's Market from a local baker in town. I would expect and hope that local bakers would sell at the Farmer's Market. What's the alternative -- buying "fresh" baked good at the Farmer's market from a major retailer? Or some stranger working out of their house? While I will often times purchase such homemade goods from a stranger working out of their home, it seems to me, that you take on a greater risk than you would with a local baker that has a storefront in town. As for your allegation regarding higher prices, that is not my experience. In any case, I can make up my own mind whether the cost is worth it.
7. See comments for #6.
8. Comments from other readers sufficiently demonstrate why you are misinformed on meats, seafood, etc.
9. If I want to pay a little extra for the "convenience" of a gift basket, then that, sir, is my prerogative.
10. What is wrong with buying ready-to-eat food at Farmer's Markets? If price is your only argument, then again, please give the rest of us credit for being able to make our own decisions regarding whether a particular cup of chili is worth $5.
With all due respect, your article is colored by the fact that you are a real cheap skate. For 7 out of the 10 items above, your reason for not buying such items at a Farmer’s Market, was because you believe that you could get these items cheaper elsewhere. While I certainly can appreciate the desire to be as frugal as possible, for purposes of this article I think you have conveniently overestimated the prices. In the end, I think that your obsession with cheaper prices prevents you from truly understanding and appreciating the overall experience of going to a Farmer's Market. At most Farmer’s Markets, you will find that prices are usually lower than retail; the quality and taste is usually higher; there is a sense of supporting local growers, bakers, barbeque, etc.; there is joy in walking outdoors through the Farmer’s Market and your local community; there is the convenience of picking up all of these items at one time; and so on.
My dear friend -- take the time to smell the roses, not just the cheaper priced ones.
So David, what you're saying is that you're a big boy who can make his own decisions, and know what you want to pay more for, or what is worth paying full price for? Your words...
"I can make up my own mind whether the cost is worth it."
"please give the rest of us credit for being able to make our own decisions"
Why the hell are you reading this site at all then? You come off as a pompous, know-it-all a-hole to be honest. Did you even read his disclaimer. He didn't say these would apply to every single farmers market on the planet. He didn't say they were bad places to buy food. And last time I checked, this is a free blog. You sound like a blowhard who loves the sound of his own voice.
I'll make an add. 99 out of 100 times the beekeeper, or partner is at the market and it's never cut like supermarket honey is, and hardly over priced compared to the grocery store. It does not get any better. Buy honey from beekeepers near where you live and it will help with allergies from local plants. I live where we have the largest farmers market in the midwest and believe me not even one of these ten rules is followed at this market. The biggest rule I follow is know what you are planning to buy before you go to the farmers market, then have a little extra cash for one thing to splurge on, if you can. Next rule is get to know your farmers, learn to buy in bulk, learn to freeze, and can. Don't view your farmers market experience as a shopping trip, look at it as a continual lesson on sustainability and your own personal way of shorting the interests of big agriculture while knowing that you are eating your way to a healthier you.
This is terrible advice and a great disservice to those of us who sell at farmers markets. At our market, the baked goods are still warm from the oven as we have been baking since 3 am that morning. Our market requires that the products sold are grown by the seller only - so honey only comes from the local beekeeper, and veggies have been grown and picked by the person selling to you. No third party sales. And if you want wool socks, mittens or a hat, we have very talented sheep farmers, spinners and knitters providing you with the nicest, most reasonably priced, unique clothing you could ever want. Please ask questions and be informed as to the rules of your local farmers market and you can decide on your own.
I purchase my seafood from my local Farmer's market. We have a Lousiana seafood company that catches fish from the Gulf on Thursday and drives to Nashville, TN to sell freshly caught fish (on ice), live crawfish, and other items from Lousiana. Since they started selling fish in the market, I stopped purchasing fish in the grocery store as we are a land locked state. It is by far, the BEST, BEST, fish I have ever eaten.
There is a dairy farm in Kentucky that brings milk, eggs, and bread for sale to the Farmer's market as well on Saturdays. I do not buy milk in the store any longer. There is something to be said of buying low heat pasteurized milk in glass bottles.
Again, by far, the best products. I agree, there are certain items to be wary of. Especially, the products on the tables when you first walk into the market
Wow - I envy you being able to buy fresh seafood at the Farmer's Market! I am in the midwest and would certainly love being where you are to even have the chance to purchase fresh seafood.
Eggs and bread are great from Farmer's Markets also along with the honey and baked goods.
The person writing the initial article has to come from a large metropolitan area and has no clue what small towns and rural areas are like or all about supporting our local farmer's. We mustn't be too hard on someone who has not had the opportunity to actually experience the true rural America!
This is a great list. I used to go to farmers market but the one close to my house closed. Ever since it became more difficult to go. But when I go, I mainly buy food/fruits/vegetables. They do have good prices.
#8 meat and seafood, good tip! those need to be frozen at least.
I love shopping at the farmer's market for their wonderful fruit and veggies. I am always disappointed in the fall when our market's shut down for the winter. The best thing I found at the farmer's market was a local organic farm that sold grass fed beef. We have been buying direct from "Glen Ashton Farms" for 3 years and are always impressed by this couple and their operation. They are a very professional and bring a whole new meaning to customer service. Last year we placed our meat order a little late and they managed to fit us in. They truly go above and beyond! I would love to hear about your favorite find at your local Farmer's Market?
Honestly I do not believe in the farmers markets - it is same stuff being supplied to the supermarkets.
It is just our imagination makes it better, if you ready topay more - go to wholefoods or any other store - excellent selection and good preserved.
But the advice not to buy anything unrelated to farm is good. Thank you for that.
Not all farmers markets are like that. Most of them in my area do NOT allow supermarket food. Only locally produced items, and they must be sold by the person who grew or made them. I have a few neighbors who sell at the farmers markets. I have seen their chickens, cows, beehives, and gardens.
Yes it is true some so called 'farmer's' markets do have resellers who buy in bulk and sell, or it is hosted by a large chain to be basically an open air produce section. It is sad that they try to take away from local small farmers by basically lying. It ruins it for everyone by making them think like your post above.
Here are easy ways to tell if your farmers market is real:
~Talk to the person running the stand. Ask about growing practices, ask when something was harvested, if they don't know anything about what they are selling then it is likely a 'fake' market. Don't let their age fool you into thinking they are just some teen hired for the summer to sell, it could be an inter/apprentice or the farmers kid. If they have spent time on the farm where the produce was grown they will know stuff about it. Don't expect them to know every variety name though, there are thousands of varieties, and some people make their own crosses, so you can ask but don't turn your nose up at produce with no name.
~Do a search for the name of the farmers market and 'venders' or 'apply to sell', or ask someone there for the market manager or if they know where you can get info on selling there. You don't have to sell, but it's nice to know what rules the people you are buying from have to abide by.
~If a stand has ANYTHING that can't be grown locally (say oranges in Michigan) or out terribly of season (apples in May) chances are they might be lying about other items as well. Remember though that cold frames and extra early or late varieties can extend the season greatly, so apples in July or August isn't out of bounds.
I absolutely love everthing about Farmers Markets. The stalls, the stall owners all from different parts of the country. The different foods and they all seem to be better than what you would buy in the local shop or supermarket. The atmosphere is always great with all the banter and the different smells. I know all of the produce comes direct from the farms and all fresh. I would recommend to anyone that has not been to a Farmers Market to search them out, I know if you are a lover of old fashioned good food you will love it.
In my area, the farmer's market is only on weekends. So sometimes it's a good time to show up at 5 pm on Sunday (when it closes for the week) to get a good deal on produce because the prices drop really quickly. The people selling the produce want to get rid of their excess fruit/veggies instead of having to hold onto them for the week and losing a profit (and lowering the quality of their food).
Not all of us in baked good and chocolates have stores. Some of us are bakers and pastry chefs practicing our skills and brining things to market
how much for a pound of honey do you think ?
As a meat selling farmers market vendor, I'm angry about #8. Fresh frozen meat is the way to go. Why would you want to buy refrigerated meat at a farmers market? It is not a grocery store where there is a quick turnover, and a producer would not want to bring a refrigerated meat item that does not sell and not have market for another week and then throw it out. 24 hours in the fridge will defrost it or defrost in the microwave. Consumers are in many cases too lazy (me included) and don't understand limitations of proper food storage and ask for odd things. People ask me for heritage chickens in May and June that are fresh that take 6 months to grow out on pasture. I would have to start them in December or January on my pasture which has one to two feet of snow.on it, and -10 below zero. Almost nobody understands seasonality of meat or vegetable products from a local farmer because they are used to going to.a.grocery store and getting pineapple and strawberries in Iowa in January at 2 in the morning.
I feel like your comment on baked goods is rather a blanket statement.
As a pie maker with a full time day job, I use the farmers market AS my retail storefront space. I carry a variety of sweet and savory goods, roll my crusts by hand and bake fresh pies for the market. You CAN'T get them anywhere else but from me, on Saturday. Or, if you're real nice and you message me, I'll bake for your special occasion when you need it.
My pies are a handmade specialty. The ingredients are locally sourced, seasonal, and fresh. I might also add, I'm a pie "company", not a pie "factory". I rent a commercial kitchen to produce these pies to take to the market weekly. So, yes, there IS a cost basis on which I price my product.
In sum, PLEASE buy baked goods. We're not all big bakeries, some of us just rock at baking and are living out a dream!!!
As far as meat goes, I think it is important to note that food safety is key with these products, and there are many regulations to keep the product safe. The meat is frozen, however, a lot of meat you purchase at grocery stores has been frozen and they simply thaw it out before putting it on display. The cows live much happier lives than grocery "grass fed" beef, and have a healthier proportion of b-vitamins. I would say never buy grocery store meat because you have no clue what conditions those animals have been raised in, and it is actually more of a risk to your health than local meat.