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Home » How-to Articles from Parsley & Parm

Updated Jun 22, 2025 · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Shopping at Farmers Markets: Your Guide to Getting the Best Produce (and the Best Deals)

Shopping at the farmers market is one of the most joyful ways to enjoy a veg-forward way of eating on the Mediterranean diet. The scent of fresh herbs, sun-ripened tomatoes, and warm whole grain bread from the local bakery is pure magic. This is where the Mediterranean diet truly comes to life: colorful vegetables, seasonal fruit, wholesome grains, and conversations with the people who grew your food.

A variety of colorful vegetables are displayed at an outdoor farmers market.
Photo Credit: Maria Orlova

But let’s be honest—if you’ve ever come home with a bundle of mystery greens, no plan for dinner, and a slightly busted budget, you’re not alone. Whether you're new to the market or just want to get more out of your trip, this guide will help you shop with purpose, stretch your dollars, and bring home ingredients you’ll actually use (and love).

Here’s how to farmers market like a pro.

1. Go early for the best selection

When shopping at farmers markets, timing is everything.

If you’re hoping to score seasonal favorites like strawberries, heirloom tomatoes, or a loaf of that famous whole wheat sourdough from a local micro bakery, aim to arrive right when the market opens. The most popular items often sell out fast—sometimes within the first hour.

Last week, I showed up just 45 minutes after my local farmers market opened, and every last pint of strawberries was already gone. Early birds really do get the berries.

2. Go late for the best deals

Even if you're not a morning person, you can still get great value by shopping later in the day. During the final hour of most local farmers markets, vendors are sometimes more willing to offer discounts—especially if you’re buying in bulk or grabbing produce that’s a little past peak.

This is a great time to snag a box of overripe tomatoes (perfect for sauce) or slightly bruised peaches (hello, cobbler). There's no harm in asking what they'll charge you to take the last bit of wilted kale off their hands late in the day (kale is easy to revive once you get it home).

Just keep in mind: haggling isn’t typically welcomed unless you’re buying a large quantity. Most farmers work on very tight margins, and pricing their products fairly helps keep their farms sustainable. There's no harm in asking what they'll charge you to take the last bit of wilted kale off their hands late in the day (kale is easy to revive once you get it home).

3. Do a full walkthrough before buying

Take a full loop around the market before you start filling your bags. A quick walkthrough helps you get your bearings, create a plan of attack, and get a sense of who’s offering truly locally-produced items.

Some stalls may sell out-of-season produce or items with UPC stickers—these are often wholesale items marked up for the market, not grown locally. There’s nothing wrong with that, but if you’re there to support local farmers markets, it’s worth seeking out vendors who grow their own food nearby.

4. Follow markets and vendors on social media

Many vendors and markets share real-time updates on Instagram and Facebook. There's a farmer at my local market who posts a list Friday night of everything he will have available the next morning, and lets us know what he thinks will sell out quickly. It helps me develop a rough list of what I'm after, as well as planning my spending.

You’ll also be the first to know about specials, seasonal drops, or unique items (like foraged mushrooms or small-batch jams) that sell out fast. And when I see our local baklava wizard is going to be at the market, I know I need an extra $20 for a box of his goodies, and that I had better get there early!

A farmer's market table with lots of fresh vegetables. In the foreground, a sign says "Mini Bell Peppers: Great for Stuffing." Other vegetables that are visible are zucchini and tomatoes in multiple colors.
Photo credit: Mark Stebnicki

5. Talk to the farmers

My favorite thing about shopping at farmers markets is, above all, the people.

Take a few minutes to talk to the folks behind the tables. Farmers and small food producers are usually happy to share what’s in season, how they grow their food, or even tips on how to cook it. Ask about new-to-you vegetables, what will be coming next week, or how to tell when something is ripe.

Not only will you learn a ton, but you’ll build relationships with the people feeding your community—which makes shopping local even more meaningful.

6. Make a list, but stay flexible

While it’s helpful to have a rough shopping list in hand, flexibility is key at the farmers market. Maybe the spinach sold out, but your favorite vendor has a gorgeous bunch of rainbow chard or wild rocket that will work instead.

Let the market guide your meals. Shopping this way can actually make your cooking more creative, fun, and seasonal.

7. Bring the right supplies

A successful farmers market trip starts with the right gear. Here's what to bring:

  • Cash and cards: Some vendors accept cards, but others are still cash-only or offer cash discounts.
  • Reusable bags: Bring a few—produce can get heavy, and you’ll want backups for surprise finds. I really like this reusable shopping bag set from Simple Ecology. If I'm looking for bulk items or planning to buy a lot, I sometimes bring a wagon (the exact one I have is no longer available, but this wagon on Amazon is similar).
  • Cold storage: A cooler in your car with a reusable ice pack helps keep delicate greens, eggs, or dairy fresh on the ride home.
  • Hot weather essentials: Water, sunscreen, a hat, and maybe a small towel or hand fan if it’s really toasty.

8. Plan to eat while you’re there

One of the best parts of any local farmers market? The food trucks.

Ours regularly features everything from veggie tacos and Russian pastries to crepes and pressed paninis. Grabbing lunch or a treat while you shop turns a quick grocery trip into a full-on outing. And it’s a great way to support even more local food vendors while treating yourself.

Bonus: recipes that use farmers market finds

Once you’ve stocked your fridge with the season’s best, it’s time to put it to good use. These Parsley & Parm recipes are perfect for farmers market ingredients:

  • Broccolini frittata with turkey bacon and feta: Broccolini and basil make a lovely pairing in this one-pan meal that works for breakfast or dinner.
  • Kale tahini Caesar salad: You'll never look at a bunch of kale the same way again! Crispy harissa chickpeas (in place of croutons) really take this recipe over the top.
  • Stovetop cherry tomato confit: One of my favorite things about summer. Spread it on bread, toss it with pasta and burrata, or add some to your favorite summer bean dishes.
  • Spicy Pickled Onions: They belong on everything all summer long. Just saying!

How to find local farmers markets near you

If you’re excited to start shopping at farmers markets regularly but don’t know where to begin, the USDA Local Food Directory is the perfect place to start. This powerful, user-friendly farmers market directory helps you find local food options anywhere in the U.S.—from traditional farmers markets and CSA programs to farm stands, u-pick operations, and agritourism destinations.

Visit: https://www.usdalocalfoodportal.com/

You can filter by:

  • Market type (e.g., farmers markets, CSAs, farm stands)
  • Distance from your zip code
  • Types of products sold (produce, dairy, meat, baked goods, flowers, and more)
  • Accepted payment types (including SNAP and WIC)

This farmers market guide makes it easy to support local farms, plan seasonal meals, and explore markets wherever you live or travel. Whether you’re new to seasonal shopping or already love hitting your local farmers markets, bookmarking this tool is a smart way to stay connected to the freshest food around.

A fruit stand with baskets of fruit for sale, including berries, papaya, lemons, strawberries, and plums.
Photo credit: Madison Inouye

Final Thoughts

Shopping at farmers markets is about so much more than checking items off a list. It’s a chance to slow down, support local farmers, explore seasonal eating, and bring home food that’s truly fresh and full of flavor.

If you’ve got a favorite vendor, market tip, or recipe for using your latest haul, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

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Hi, I'm Lisa!

I’m a midlife foodie on a mission to eat healthier—without giving up the foods I love.

Parsley & Parm is all about big flavor, fresh vegetables, olive oil, whole grains, and healthy proteins…with zero diet vibes.

I believe healthy eating should be about what you do eat—not what you can’t. Guidelines replace rules. Balance beats restriction. And fresh, seasonal veggies always steal the show.

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