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

• USDA’s Choose My Plate
• The Nutrition Source by Harvard School of Public Health
• Vegetables & Fruits by Harvard School of Public Health
• Fruits & veggies Nutrition Database
• What are Macronutrients?

Kid’s Nutrition

• Childhood Nutrition Face by the CDC
• USDA’s Kid’s Corner
• 10 Best Health & Nutrition Education Aps for Kids
• BBC Good Food Kids’ Cooking Recipes
• Kids eat more vegetables after nutrition lessons, Stanford study finds
• 8 Super Healthy Foods We Guarantee Your kid will Eat
• Nutrition for kids: Guidelines for a healthy diet by Mayo Clinic Staff (by age)

How to Eat Ethically & 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 Justice & Anti-Racism in the Food System

• Food & Tech Connect’s Food & Ag Anti-Racism Resources
• Black Lives Matter in the Food System by Civil Eats
• The Making of the ‘Magic Valley’ by the Texas Observer
• There were nearly a million black farmers in 1920. Why have they disappeared? by The Guardian
• Food Tank: The Think Tank for Food

Food Preservation

• TFM & Book People’s List of Favorite Fermentation-Focused Books
• How to Store Fruits & Vegetables
• Food in Jars
• 12 Tips for Properly Organizing Your Fridge
• How to Make Sauerkraut
• National Center for Home Food Preservation
• Food Safety & Health, Wisconsin EDU
• Video about canning tomatoes; Tomato Sauce and Salsa
• How to Freeze Fruits and Vegetables
• Lower East Side Dill Pickles

Recommended Films

• The Greenhorns
• Rise, Root, Revolution
• King Corn
• Sustainable
• Polyfaces
• Wasted! The Story of Food Waste
• MODIFIED
•The Biggest Little Farm

Recipes

• TFM’s Market Chef Recipe Archive
• Bon Appetit’s Farmers’ Market Challenge
• The Hip Girl’s Guide to Homemaking
• Marisa Moore’s Recipes
• Smitten Kitchen
• Food52
• Healthy Seasonal Recipes
• Love & Lemons
• From Farm to Table recipes

Recipes for Children

• GoodFood, Kids cooking recipes
• Food Network’s Our Best Healthy Recipes for Kids and Families
• Eating Well Healthy Kids Recipes

Recycling & Composting

• TFM’s Community Compost Program
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Most of All, Reduce 
• Austin Resource Recovery
• What Can Be Recycled?