for sale. This would allow you to grow fruits and vegetables from home, in your very own garden! As one young farm stand owner stated, “I’d rather help someone learn how to grow a container tomato plant, than have them worry about making it back to my stand, or not come at all with their busy schedules.”
Another beautiful purchase you can make at many farmer’s markets are fresh flowers. They’re usually offered as fresh cut bouquets or sometimes as annual or perennial plants that you can plant in your own flower garden. These farm-fresh-flowers can also be pre-ordered for special events and arranged by your color choice, etc.
Local artisans often vend at farmer’s markets. In fact, most often it is a requirement for wares to be locally made or handcrafted and not commercial in origin. Certain times of the year, you may hear local musicians playing or singing wonderful tunes. There may even be a spot for a quick chair massage.A word of advice: befriend the stall owner; and they may just create a special notion just for you.
I always suggest going to the farmer’s market HUNGRY! Be sure to check out the food trucks or food stalls. You can enjoy a special lunch from a healthy salad to a loaded burrito.
In essence a Farmer’s Market is much more than a few stalls; it is a community for all to enjoy. Take a moment to locate your local Farmer’s Market and go see what you can discover and enjoy.
Successful ways to enjoy a Farmer’s Market:
1. Please bring cash. (Not all individuals have debit/credit card readers.)
• Some Farmer’s Markets have a token system if you forgot cash.
2. Take a moment to befriend the farmer/artist.
3. Do not expect the market to be like a supermarket. The farmers are growing what grows well in your area as well as what is in season. Embrace new foods!
4. Be mindful of weather. It can change in the blink of an eye while you’re perusing the market. Additionally, if the weather has been hot, foods you may not expect may be available NOW (this of course works both ways - if you’ve had a cooler season, foods you might expect might not be ripening as quickly as they might).
5. Many farmer’s markets have community websites and will provide you with weekly details (what food is in season, local artisans delights and so forth).
6. Let go of expectations and enjoy what each market has to offer.