Shopping Tips & More Resources

If you have never visited a farmers’ market, now is the time! Farmers’ markets are famous for their variety and quality of produce, meats, eggs, artisan prepared foods and handmade products.

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of our markets:

Take Your Time

Have fun browsing! I like to make a slow loop around the market, making note of stands of special interest, before I begin buying. Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t buy a fresh filled croissant, breakfast taco or a peach to munch on as I stroll around!

Bring Cash

Cash is the easiest currency but our vendors accept checks and we have our own personal ATM machine. Some of our vendors accept credit cards (not many of those are farmers!).

Bring Containers and Shopping Bags (BYOSB)

Although some farmers’ market vendors have bags and boxes, it’s easiest if you bring your own reusable bags. You are contributing to the most basic recycling and environmental causes by using cloth and string bags, besides buying local, and sustainably grown produce.

Ask Questions

Make sure to ask questions of the vendors when you see unfamiliar produce. I learned about black Spanish radishes last year and they have become a favorite addition to my meals in springtime. Vendors and farmers love to share their knowledge and can even give you recipes and cooking tips.

Dress Comfortably

Wear walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. Our markets are open rain or shine, so be prepared with sunscreen and collapsible umbrellas; and watch the weather! If you bring your children, make sure you have supplies, a stroller, and drinks for them. Involve them in the process too, and they will become more interested in fresh produce and meal preparation.

If You Bring Your Pets

It’s always fun to include the canine member of your family in your market trip but please remember the asphalt in our parking lots heats up 15 or more degrees than the ambient air. A dog’s paw pads are susceptible to burns. Slip off your shoes and stand on the pavement with bare feet first; If it’s not comfortable for you, it’s not going to be comfortable for your dog either. Don’t leave your dog in the car. Don’t use human sunscreen on your pets; it may be toxic to your dog. Pet stores sell sunscreens formulated especially for dogs. And, please make sure your dog does not use our market as its restroom. If it does, come prepared to clean up.

Go Early

There’s nothing better than strolling through a fragrant and colorful farmer’s market early in the morning. The sights, smells, and sounds are incredibly beautiful. You’ll find the best selection if you show up early too.

Go Late

Just before closing time, you may find some of the best deals, because vendors don’t want to take their wares back home. But remember that the selection will be limited at this time, and some vendors may be sold out.

Bring Coolers

Make sure to have coolers with ice packs in your car, or take your market goodies straight home to keep it fresh and at its peak.

Experiment!

Don’t be afraid to try something new. Have fun! You’ll probably discover a new favorite fruit, vegetable, plant, flower, bread or cheese that will make your summer even richer and sweeter.

Shopping at our farmer’s market means that you will get the best, freshest produce available, while at the same time you are supporting small local farmers. You can find produce that is too delicate to ship, heirloom varieties of produce, and learn something new too. Often the vendors farm organically and if not sustainably and farmer’s markets are their primary source of income. Cherish our market communities and they will thrive!

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Nutrition

• Food Comparison
• Vegetables & Fruits by Harvard School of Public Health
• Good vs. Bad Carbohydrates video
• The World’s Healthiest Foods
• Fruits & veggies matter
• Best Low-Calorie Fruits and Veggies
• Exercise & Nutrition: A Guide to Healthy Living
• What are Macronutrients?

Kids’ Nutrition

• Kids eat more vegetables after nutrition lessons, Stanford study finds
• 8 Super Healthy Foods We Guarantee Your kid will Eat
• Good Nutrition for Preschool Children
• Nutrition & Fitness for family
• Nutrition for kids: Guidelines for a healthy diet by Mayo Clinic Staff (by age)

How to Eat Ethically and Sustainably

• Natural Resources Defense Council’s Eat Green Guide
• Natural Resources Defense Council’s Local Food Systems
• What is Missing? Foundation’s What You Can Do to Support Sustainable Agriculture
• World Wildlife Fund’s Food Initiative

Food Preservation

• Just a Little Bit Longer: How to Keep All Kinds of Food Fresh
• How to Make Sauerkraut
• National Center for Home Food Preservation
• Food Safety & Health, Wisconsin EDU
• The Hip Girl’s Guide to Homemaking
• Video about canning tomatoes; Tomato Sauce and Salsa
• Canning 101 video, water bath vs pressure canning

Recommended Films

• Food, Inc.
• The Greenhorns
• Fresh
• King Corn
• Dirt! The movie
• Sustainable
• Polyfaces
• Wasted! The Story of Food Waste
• MODIFIED
•The Biggest Little Farm

Recipes

• Homemade refrigerator dill pickle recipe
• Sweet and spicy bread and butter pickles
• 15+ Homemade Pickles To Make
• All Recipes for Canning and Preserving
• How to Freeze Fruits and Vegetables
• From Farm to Table recipes

Recipes for Children to Make

• Cooking with Kids: Healthy Recipes to Make with Your Little Chef
• Healthy recipes for kids and the whole family
• GoodFood, Kids cooking recipes
• 5 Healthy Recipes that Kids can Make

Seasonal Recipes

• Epicurious Seasonal Recipes
• EatingWell Seasonal recipes
• Katie Webster/healthy seasonal recipes

Recycling

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Most of All, Reduce – Incorporate these small tweaks into your routine.
• Austin Resource Recovery – The City’s department working to make ATX zero waste
• What Can Be Recycled? – A list of 200+ things that can be recycled

Homemade Cleaning Supplies

• How to make homemade cleaning supplies
• How to make a non-toxic cleaning kit

 

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