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Top 10 Mistakes Made by Farmers Market Noobz
http://www.ecosalon.com/top-10-mistakes-made-by-farmers-market-noobz/

If you haven’t spent much time at farmers markets, I know they can be a bit 
intimidating. Locals always know exactly where to go and what to buy, and 
seem to possess some kind of secret, cult-like knowledge of seasonal 
favorites and exclusive deals.

How is a farmers market noobie supposed to sort through the piles of exotic 
vegetables without feeling like an trespasser?

The reality is this: Farmers market fans can indeed be fanatical (I know I 
am), but the farmers themselves couldn’t be more friendly and welcoming. Here 
are my top 10 tips for fitting in at the farmers market and getting the most 
from being a locavore.

1. Arriving too late

Showing up at a farmers market in the late morning means big crowds and 
picked over produce. Beat the rush by going early and getting the best of the 
season. Morning light is also best for snapping pictures, if you’re into that 
sorta thing.

2. Forgetting to BYOB (bring your own bags!)

Most farmers markets provide small plastic bags for your purchases (in 
eco-friendly San Francisco, plastic has been banned and most vendors offer 
paper or compostable BioBags for a small price), but you definitely want to 
have a larger bag to carry your bounty or you’ll be heading home prematurely.

3. Buying staples

One of the advantages of shopping at a farmers market is that you get the 
best of the season from local farmers, which is likely to be different from 
your normal grocery store purchases. There’s nothing wrong with buying foods 
you know you like, but try to be adventurous with new produce. You may be 
pleasantly surprised.

4. Not asking questions

You may not know everything there is to know about seasonal vegetables, but 
the farmers who grow them certainly do. Walk up to each vendor with a smile 
and ask them what their favorites are this week. If you’ve never cooked with 
them before, ask for an example recipe or serving suggestions. You can always 
search recipes online when you get home, so don’t feel like you need to know 
exactly how you’re going to prepare something before buying it.

5. Forgetting cash

Farmers market veterans know better than to show up at the market without 
cash in our wallets. Credit cards are not accepted by most farmers and the 
line at the local ATM machine is a wait you could live without. Pick up some 
cash on your way to avoid the headache.

6. Focus on fruit

Fruit is great but it will also put a hefty dent in your wallet. If you fear 
farmers markets because of the price, focus your attention on vegetables. 
Veggies are cheaper, and when picked fresh and in season can be almost as 
sweet as candy.

7. Forgetting meat and dairy

Farmers markets are the best places to find sustainable farms with 
eco-friendly practices. Buy your eggs, fish, milk, cheese and meat products 
from local producers to reduce environmental impact.

8. Bringing pets

It is illegal to bring dogs to farmers markets in California, but each state 
has their own policies. Check your local market rules before bringing Fluff 
Fluff along on your shopping trip.

9. Trying to negotiate

Farmers markets are not flea markets, and haggling is generally not part of 
the etiquette. Sometimes very late in the day farmers will offer discounts, 
but it is generally best practice to respect the set prices. Farmers work 
harder than most of us can imagine, and their asking prices are more than 
fair.

10. Not shopping around

Samples are commonplace at farmers markets and allow you to find the best 
produce to match your taste. Nothing is worse than buying a basket of 
strawberries then finding better ones two stands away. Shop around a bit 
before deciding on the best purchases. You know you’ve picked the right stuff 
if you can barely get it home without eating it all.

What are your favorite farmers market tips?

Editor’s note: This is a guest post courtesy of Darya Pino. Darya is a 
scientist, San Francisco foodie and advocate of local, seasonal foods. Find 
more healthy eating tips at her blog summertomato.

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