19 July 2010 - 7:41The local roundup

Post by Prabhjit Banga

The weather is warm and summer’s marquee fruits and vegetables are well on their way to your kitchen. And the best place to get your share of this local bounty is at your local farmers’ markets, most of which are now open for the season.

Farmers’ markets are a great way to eat local, high quality, super fresh food. It also means supporting local artisans and farmers to positively impact your environment by buying products that are produced within the shortest distance to where you live. That cuts down on the use of fossil fuels, which leads to significantly reduced levels of pollution and resource depletion over your produce bought at the local supermarket.

Talk to local farmers who grow and care for our food, and learn about different varieties and other flavourful varieties you won’t find at groceries stores. And remember, farmers’ markets are not just for your fruits and vegetables, although those items alone are enough reason to pay a visit. Expect to find meats and fish, herbs, honey, mushrooms, garlic, eggs, cheese, bread and other baked treats, preserves, jams and even plants and flowers.

 As a fellow market-goer , I have learned a few helpful strategies:

Get there Early
Showing up in the late morning means big crowds and picked over produce. Beat the rush by going early and getting the best of the season.

BYOB
Remember to bring your own reusable bags.  

Be adventurous
One of the advantages of shopping at a farmers’ market is that you get the best of the season from local farmers, which is likely to be different from your normal grocery store purchases. There’s nothing wrong with buying foods you know you like, but try to be adventurous with new produce.

Ask questions
You may not know everything there is to know about seasonal vegetables, but the farmers who grow them certainly do. Walk up to each vendor and ask them what their favorites are this week. If you’ve never cooked with them before, ask for a sample recipe or serving suggestions.

Cash only
Most farmers do not accept credit cards and the line at the local ATM machine is a wait you could live without. Pick up some cash on your way to avoid the headache.

Shop around
Samples are commonplace at farmers’ markets and allow you to find the best produce to match your taste. Nothing is worse than buying a basket of strawberries, then finding better ones two stands away. Shop around a bit before deciding on the best purchases.