By Jenni Burg
It’s market season in Minnesota!
While a few farmers’ markets stay open year-round, it’s the late spring when the availability of home-grown produce starts to ramp up.
The smaller markets open up, more vendors partake, loads of produce line the tables, and it’s finally warm enough to enjoy the fruits of your haul spread out on a blanket, soaking up the sun.
Before you grab your market totes and go skipping off to the rainbow of sun shaded tables, here are some things to remember:
- Bring cash. While many vendors accept card payments, some do not. Many may appreciate cash or may charge a small fee for card payment processing. Bonus tip: Bring a collection of smaller bills to make cash pay easier and more convenient.
- Along with your market totes, consider bringing a cooler if the weather is warm or if you have other stops to make before arriving home to ensure your goods aren’t affected by the heat.
- Arrive early for peak selection of goods or late for a bargain. Shopping at the start of the market offers the widest choice and a better chance of picking up goods where quantities may be limited. Alternatively, arriving near the end of the market can sometimes mean scoring reduced prices as vendors may not want to take excess goods home.
- Shop in season. Pay attention to what’s in its prime right now. Living in Minnesota, we have such a small window to catch produce at its peak—we don’t want to miss it!
Seasonal produce generally has better flavor and is cheaper since it is plentiful. In June, look for asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries, radishes, greens and herbs.
- Make a list. Just like at the grocery store, it can feel overwhelming and easy to forget what you need if you go into the market without a plan. Write down your essentials (carrots, parsley, eggs and bread) so you can free up your brain to explore what other fun things you might like to try this week.
- Visit with your vendor. Chatting with your farmer, baker, or gardener is not only enjoyable and good for community connection, it’s also a chance to learn more about what you’re buying—when to eat it, how to prepare or care for it, and how to store it. You may also hear about new items coming to market or even score a deal if you’re buying in bulk.
- Pick your produce. Ask your vendor if you can touch or smell your produce before buying. Sounds weird, but senses are the number one tool to use when it comes to selecting high quality produce.
Pick fruits and vegetables that smell fragrant and are heavy for their size – steering away from larger-sized pieces of produce as they can often be woody in texture and less flavorful.
- Check on pets. Many markets do not allow dogs on the premises, so it’s always good to check the policies of your local market before going.
Whether you go on a Saturday morning or Tuesday after work, is there anything better than strolling the market aisle with a home-baked scone in hand or snacking on fresh, sweet snap peas while your kiddos run around on the grass in circles?
There is just something about enjoying the tastes of Minnesota outside, amidst a hub of community and connection, on a sunny summer day that just can’t be beat.
If you’re looking to find a local market or explore new markets in the area this season, the directory available at minnesotagrown.com makes that an easy task. Happy market shopping!
Jenni Burg is a dietitian and freelance writer who writes about food and nutrition for the Bugle.