To Market, to Market

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It is a beautiful summer morning, the perfect time to pack up the kids and head to where farmers busily haul out their harvest.

It’s a beautiful summer morning, the perfect time to pack up the kids
and head to where farmers busily haul out their harvest. It’s a place
where flaming red tomatoes tumble from crates, peppery basil perfumes
the air and homemade jams and jellies beckon. Forget the two-hour trek
to the country farm stand; we’re talking 10 minutes across town to your
local farmers market.

At last count, there were approximately 4,700 markets bringing
direct-from-the-farm produce, dairy, meats, preserves and baked goods
made from scratch to cities and suburbs across the country — more than
double the number in 1994 when the USDA first started tracking the
trend. “It’s great for consumers because they actually get to know the
people who produce their food,” says Joan Shaffer, spokesperson for USDA
Farmers Market Program. “And it’s great for small farms since it gives
them another outlet for selling their goods and increasing their
income.”

While fun, farmers markets aren’t always cheap. To make the most of your next trip, try these suggestions:

Make a flexible meal plan To minimize waste, have an
idea of how many dinners you’ll be shopping for and what you may want
to cook. But if you go in search of beets and find that the kale looks
amazing, be willing to switch things up. “If your eyes are telling you
something is good, they are probably right,” says John Adler, sous chef
at Franny’s, a seasonal restaurant in Brooklyn that sources the majority
of its produce from the Union Square Greenmarket in Manhattan.

Adler’s suggestion: Make a list of three or four specific
items you’d like to buy, with room for one wild-card purchase. “That one
surprise item you don’t know too much about is probably what will get
you most excited and keep you coming back to the market.”

Bring the right stuff Take a strong hint form those
flimsy plastic bags farmers offer: Most greenmarkets support sustainable
farming practices, so you should follow suit by bringing your own
sturdy, reusable bags. Keep in mind too that many farmers markets also
sell fresh fish, poultry, meats and dairy products — so stash a cooler
in your car or bring along an insulated bag so you don’t have rush home.

Get there early and look around No need to wake at
the crack of dawn, but the choicest stuff always goes first. By the end
of a busy day, some vendors run out altogether. Do a walk-through before
buying anything; it’ll give you an idea of what’s out there. As you
walk around, don’t be shy about asking farmers for a sample of what
they’re selling. Many stands may be selling great tomatoes, but you can
only tell which are best for your needs by tasting them.

Learn to shop smart Farmers markets are about
supporting small farms that, in general, embrace sustainable — if not
certified organic — practices. That sometimes translates to steeper
prices than at supermarkets. There are ways to save, however. Opt for
foods in their least-processed form: whole heads of lettuce instead of
prewashed, or unshelled peas and onions with their tops still on. You’ll
pay less since there is less labor involved for the farmer. Produce at
its seasonal peak, such as spring lettuce as opposed to early tomatoes,
is also typically the best buy in the market.

Get to know the farmers If you don’t know what to do
with kohlrabi, go ahead and ask. You’ll almost always walk away with a
recipe. If you want to know if something is organic or not, start a
conversation. “The beauty of a farmers market is that you can look
across a table and ask a farmer how his crop was grown,” says Larry
Johnson, market manager at the Dane County Farmers Market in Madison,
Wis.

“It’s all about building a relationship with the farmers,” says
Adler. “Getting to know them and showing a curiosity about what they’re
selling — it’s what makes them eager to help you and what will keep you
coming back.”

Richard JaramilloRichard “RJ” Jaramillo, is the Founder of SingleDad.com,
a website and social media resource dedicated to single parenting and specifically for the newly divorced, re-married, widowed and single Father with children.
RJ is self employed, entrepreneur living in San Diego and a father of three children. The mission of SingleDad is to help the community of Single Parents
“Make Life Happen…Again!”

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Richard “RJ” Jaramillo, is the Founder of SingleDad.com, a website and social media resource dedicated to single parenting and specifically for the newly divorced, re-married, widowed and single Father with children. RJ is self employed, entrepreneur living in San Diego and a father of three children. The mission of SingleDad is to help the community of Single Parents “Make Life Happen…Again!”