Nothing beats strolling through packed aisles of white tents and bursting produce displays, interspersed with gorgeous blossoms, fragrant berries, and the freshest cheeses. Many people consider visiting a farmers market as more than a shopping trip, but rather an activity in itself. Indeed, America has a long love affair with farmers markets, with the oldest one (Lancaster Central Market) dating back to the late 1800s.
Today, there are about 8,600 markets in the U.S. Some big cities have dozens, if not more, while small towns often have only one or two. That means there’s always an opportunity to visit a farmers’ market. But before you do, be sure to check out these farmers market tips and tricks to make the experience more enjoyable.
Farmers markets are known to offer amazingly fresh produce, meats, cheeses, eggs, herbs, and jams. It’s also a fantastic place to find great coffee, locally brewed beer, bottled wine, or kombucha. What you may not know is how many other hidden gems you can find at your average local market. Here’s just a small sampling.
Mixers, syrups, and bitters
Devoted barflies may wish to try making some of their favorite drinks on their own, and the farmers market is a perfect place to find the mixings to do it. Look for cocktail syrups made locally with fresh ingredients, for instance. These are perfect for both cocktails and mocktails, and usually look adorable on a bar cart in your dining room or kitchen. Look also for locally distilled liquors, liqueurs, and bitters. Farmers markets are also a good place to find more unconventional booze and beverages. Think drinking vinegars, fire cider, mead, and sparkling lemonade.
For the most part, farmers markets are staffed by small or family businesses, so the people running the stands are highly enthusiastic about their products. One of the most important farmers market pro tips is to ask the owner or worker about their ingredients. Not only are people usually delighted to tell you all about what’s in their products and how to use them, but most will gladly give you a sample or two to help you choose.
Condiments
Condiments are an often underlooked kitchen staple, usually only noticed when you have one of those “Am I seriously out of mayo at a time like this?” moments. As such, you should always stay stocked, and the farmers market is a great place to make this happen. Most have a wide variety of condiments for sale, but shoppers may miss this in their pursuit of traditional produce, meats, and cheeses. That’s a mistake, though, since freshly made condiments can elevate many meals, making them more delicious.
Look for freshly made mustard, salsa and chimichurri, pesto, hot sauce, and aioli. Specialty items such as pickled beets, sauerkraut, corn relish, and homemade dressings are all delicious as well. Jams and jellies are commonly found at farmers markets, as are maple syrup and honey. Be on the look out for all of these, and to make sure you’re getting the best available, don’t buy before sampling.
Mushrooms
Most grocery stores reliably carry three to five types of mushrooms: white, cremini, portabella, and often oyster or shiitake. However, that’s the tip of the iceberg when it comes to edible mycology. At the farmers market, you’ll find more options; it’s fun to try different locally and ethically sourced varieties. Morels, lobster mushrooms, chicken of the woods, or chanterelles are all common finds. The mushroom scene is especially fantastic in the spring and fall. Depending on where you live in the United States, there may be dozens of kinds of edible wild mushrooms you just won’t find at the store.
But the real hidden gem here is the mycology education. If you’ve ever wanted to learn to mushroom hunt, this is the place to start, as dedicated hunters are both enthusiastic and typically generous with their knowledge. They tend not to guard spots because gathering mushrooms begets more mushrooms (the spores fall off and spread when mushroom hunters bring them home). If you get really excited, you can even make spore prints and try to grow your own mushrooms from farmers market finds. Hardcore, but totally possible.
Make sure when you bring mushrooms home that you store them correctly. There are several ways to keep or preserve your mushrooms, so do some research beforehand to avoid wasting money. Storing fresh morel mushrooms, for example, include the fridge, freezer, or dehydrator, amongst other things.
Berries
Yes, you can find berries at the grocery store. No, they will not usually have that garden-fresh taste and texture. Berries at grocery stores must be able to withstand a lot of storage, especially if they come from far away (such as those blueberries and strawberries that hail from Argentina).
On the other hand, farmers market berries are picked at the peak of ripeness. Since farmers know they can move them right away at markets, they can harvest them when they’re at maximum flavor, super sweet with soft and juicy textures as opposed to that refrigerator-firm feel. Depending on your state, you may also find more unusual berries. The Pacific Northwest, for example, is known for loganberries, boysenberries, marionberries, olallieberries, tayberries, and more. In the Northeast, you’ll find dark blue, oval-shaped honeyberries.
If you can, always get fresh berries at the farmers market. Look for firm but brightly colored berries that have little mush or juice coming through the sides of the baskets. Once you take them home, make sure to utilize these berry storage tips for longer lasting berries.
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