Eat Smart during farmers’ market season

• Leave the car at home. Parking can be a hassle. If possible, plan to walk, ride a bike, or take public transit to your farmers’ market. Need some inspiration? See last month’s newsletter article about Eileen Kadesh who regularly uses her bike to run errands.
  
  
• Know when to shop. Mid-week markets are quieter, but weekend markets often have the best selection. Shop early in the day to get the best quality food and to avoid missing out on unusual items.
  
  
• BYOB. Bags that is. To make sure your purchases get home without crashing onto the sidewalk bring your own reusable bags or a backpack. It’s also easier to carry one large bag than several smaller plastic bags.
  
  
• Compare prices. Circle the market at least once to see what’s available and check prices. There can be significant price differences between vendors. You may also want to hold off on purchasing early season veggies (which are often more expensive) and stick with what’s most abundant at the time.
  
  
• Bring cash. Many farmers don’t accept debit or credit cards. Though some accept checks, you may be shopping from a variety of vendors and if you only bring your checkbook you’ll be writing a lot of checks. Good old fashioned dollars (in small denominations) work best.
  
  
• Know what’s “in”. Expect to see new foods every week as foods go in and out of season. To find out what is in season, check Puget Sound Fresh’s harvest calendar – it details which produce items are available each month. In addition to produce, most markets also carry staples like beef, eggs, cheeses, salmon and tuna, pork, poultry, jams and jellies and much more.
  
  
• Experiment. Farmers' markets have an amazing array of produce that you won’t find in the supermarket. Don’t be afraid to try some something new. Many “strange looking” fruits and vegetables are heritage varieties bred for taste rather than shelf life or visual appeal. Most farmers are happy to suggest ways to prepare a food you’ve never tried before.
  
  
• Ask questions. Whether you have a question about the ripeness of a peach, you're curious about the differences between a Bing and Rainier cherry, or you want to know how to cook squash flowers, don’t hesitate to ask the farmer. They are usually very happy to answer questions about their growing methods, share their favorite cooking secrets, or let you sample a product.
  
  
• Take purchases home immediately. Plan to go home right after the market, or bring a cooler to keep food items cool. Foods that need to be refrigerated such as meat and fish are increasingly common at markets.