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How to Have the Best Farmers’ Market Experience {Guest Post}

Published on October 27, 2016 By Emily. Updated on October 22, 2016

Hi Relishments readers! I’m on maternity leave, but some awesome blogger friends have volunteered to step in and keep new content coming your way. I may be popping in occasionally, but I really appreciate the opportunity to take some time off with our new addition. Please show my guest authors some love and check out their sites and social media!  Today’s post comes from Lisa of lisavalinsky.com


Six ways to rock your farmers' market experience.

Ah, the farmers’ market. A place with the freshest produce, a place that brings people together, a place of food inspiration.

If you know me, you know I have a thing for farms and food and farmers’ markets.

When we lived in New York City, I had the amazing experience of running farmers’ markets in Manhattan. I worked for Greenmarket, the largest urban farmers’ market network in the United States, and my love of locally grown foods grew even more. It was a bit of peace in the big city, and each day of work I loved chatting with the vendors, perusing the items brought to market, and seeing the behind the scenes of how a market comes together.

That behind the scenes stuff was key. I learned what aggravated farmers and their staff. I learned what made customers happy. And I learned some random tips just by being at those markets so many hours each week.

(To see what my day was like as a market manager, check out the Day in the Life post that I wrote for Greenmarket a few years back.)

BRING CASH

Before making your way to the farmers’ market, be sure to get some cash. Most farms only accept cash for payment, so it’s best to have cash on hand. Want to be extra polite? Bring plenty of small bills too, so the farmers or staff don’t have to worry about making change or breaking large bills.

ARRIVE EARLY

The early bird really does catch the worm. It’s best to get arrive as soon as the market opens, if you can. The food is the freshest (some of it may have even been harvested that morning), the crowds are generally lower, and you’ll have the best pick of items for the day.

Especially if you’re trying to get an item with a short growing window, like fiddlehead ferns, ramps, or berries, you’ll want to get to the market right away to catch those fun finds. Not to mention, if you’re like me and enjoy buying dairy at the market, even if it’s on ice I feel better buying it sooner than later.

BROWSE THE MARKET FIRST

Really take it all in. Check to see what different producers are offering that day, and enjoy each display. Sometimes a gem of food can be found among the vendors – locally grown ginger, a blend of hand dried herbal tea, a delicious baked good – so if you have time to browse, soak it in.

VISIT THE INFORMATION TENT

When I was a farmers’ market manager, a big part of my job was running the information tent. I cooked some kind of tasty dish each week, and I was available to talk to customers and answer questions.

I loved becoming an expert of my markets, and knowing all about the farms and their offerings.

Stop by your market manager’s booth to say hello, ask questions, and get all kinds of information.

Click here to read the rest of Lisa’s post – and get 3 more tips to help you have the best farmers’ market experience!


Lisa Valinsky lives in northern Connecticut with her husband and young daughter. She seeks and shares ways to simplify life as a new mom.

Follow Lisa!
On her blog: lisavalinsky.com
On Instagram: @lisavalinksy
On Pinterest: lisavalinksky

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Filed Under: places Tagged With: farmer's market, guest post, maternity leave

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Emily
Despite the cool temperatures and wet weather, we Despite the cool temperatures and wet weather, we had another fantastic year at @freshgrassfestival. I can never get over how, in addition to all the incredible music, the event features a great venue (@massmoca), delicious food from mostly local vendors, a great local beer tent and bar stocked with @berkshiremtdist and a kid-friendly atmosphere including a @kidspacemm art tent.
Shout-out to some of my favorite acts of the day @ajleebluesummit, @cj_field with @gregcaproni and @theblacklegacyproject.

Looking forward to next year!
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#WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #FreshGrass #FreshGrassFestival #bluegrass #MassMoCA
I am literally weeks behind in my work life and my I am literally weeks behind in my work life and my blog posts, but I just hit publish on my end of August/beginning of September meal plans! Some blogging progress is better than none! Click the link below or visit my profile to see how we used these 2 CSA pick ups from @mightyfoodfarm.
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https://www.relishments.com/blog/august-slipped-away-csa-meal-plan-153/
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#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
It's always a beautiful day at the @coastalmainebo It's always a beautiful day at the @coastalmainebotanicalgardens.
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#Maine #CoastalMaineBotanticalGardens #Boothbay
We made our annual trip to @thebistrobox in Great We made our annual trip to @thebistrobox in Great Barrington today, bringing along our 6 year old for the first time. 
Pictured: onion rings, pressed Cubano, BOX burger, raspberry mint iced tea/ (huge) side of fries, grilled hot dog, strawberry lemonade. Everything was delicious and my daughter especially enjoyed trying out the lawn games.
Until next year!
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#igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #GreatBarrington #TheBistroBox
New on the blog: a list of everything I made for d New on the blog: a list of everything I made for dinner this week. A double @mightyfoodfarm CSA pick up plus hosting my in-laws for dinner resulted in me actually planning quality meals.
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Get the recipe links at https://www.relishments.com/blog/twice-as-good-csa-meal-plan-152/ or click the link in my profile.
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#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
I had the opportunity to visit the Bridge of Flowe I had the opportunity to visit the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls this morning. It was as beautiful as I remembered and a great morning for hanging out with some friends.
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#igers413 #ShelbourneFalls #BridgeOfFlowers #WesternMass #WesternMA
Brian and I finally made it to @ the week before w Brian and I finally made it to @ the week before we went on vacation. I loved the atmosphere, decor, location and, of course, the beer. All eight beers we tasted were delicious and I'm looking forward to going back soon. 
More thoughts on the blog at the link in my profile or at https://www.relishments.com/blog/hot-plate-brewing-in-pittsfield/
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#PittsfieldMA #MassachusettsBrewery #igers413_food #igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #DrinkLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires
I made my first ever trip to @seconddropfarm in La I made my first ever trip to @seconddropfarm in Lanesborough this morning to pick blueberries with my daughter. We had a lovely time at the farm, and especially enjoyed the short walk to the lush blueberry bushes, and the beautiful flower and lavender fields. We didn't participate in pick-your-own flowers today, but it's definitely on my radar for the future.
We are looking forward to some muffin baking soon! 🫐
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#igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #LanesboroughMA #SecondDropFarm #PickYourOwnBlueberries
It's good to be home, but we had a great time with It's good to be home, but we had a great time with Brian's side of the family in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina last week.
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#WrightsvilleBeach #NorthCarolina #WilmingtonNC
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