If you don’t have the room, the time, are the proud owner of a brown thumb, or just aren’t inclined to garden, that doesn’t mean you are relegated to eating grocery store produce shipped from China. You can still eat well, and local, and in the process support a local grower by shopping at your nearby farmers’ market.
As a former vendor at a few of the local markets, I’d like to offer some “Dos and Don’ts” when it comes to patronizing your local growers.
Don’t make assumptions
One fellow market vendor often told the story of his first day at the market. Raised on the axiom of “dress for success,” he showed up at the market in nice clothes, set up his stall, and prepared for the day.
A little girl told her mother she would like to buy some of his produce. Her mother said no, that man in a tie certainly wasn’t a real farmer, and, pointing to another vendor in dirty overalls, said, “That’s what a real farmer looks like, dear.”
Ironically, the vendor she passed by was indeed a real farmer, while the vendor in dirty overalls had purchased his produce at auction.
Do ask if it’s home grown
It is perfectly acceptable to ask if a vendor grew the produce for sale. Many local markets no longer allow resale produce, and some go as far as to inspect gardens.
Of course market managers can’t guarantee a person grew all of the produce. It is, however, obvious when someone with only three tomato plants in their garden shows up with a truckload of tomatoes that they are either capable of garden miracles, or are a liar-liar-pants-on-fire gardener.
The smoking pants usually give that part away.
Another tip: if the vendor has ripe tomatoes or watermelon in June, or bananas any time of the season, they most likely didn’t grow them.
Do get to know the vendors
Does your favorite vendor grow sweet corn or unusual varieties of tomatoes? Does their gardening method utilize pesticides, hands-on bug squishing, or a vigorous jig by the light of the moon?
Most vendors don’t mind answering questions about their growing methods, and they certainly should tell you about pesticides if you ask. Getting jiggy during a full moon, well, they may prefer to keep that part to themselves.
This is also a great opportunity to find out how local their farm is, and if they sell at numerous markets.
If you are looking for something between markets, feel free to ask. Bear in mind, though, that most home growers don’t run farm stands on their property or want drop-in visitors looking for produce. Many have “real” jobs in addition to the market, or just don’t want to be caught mid-jig.
Don’t be “That Guy”
Don’t be the guy that vendors hate to see coming. The one that manhandles produce, helps himself to unauthorized “samples” of cherry tomatoes, and obnoxiously dickers over the price of every item. We all love a bargain, but a lot of work goes into prepping and setting up for market, in addition to the daily attention a market garden requires.
Your local vendor isn’t out to get rich, but is working hard to bring you healthy, local, fresh produce straight from the farm. Asking a fair price for produce, or even homemade jams, jellies, and baked goods, is not unreasonable.
As a market shopper, you should rest assured that your dollars are going straight into the local economy and helping a hardworking farmer or market grower pay their bills.
So, it’s not so bad if you don’t garden. And as for that moonlight jig, no one is stopping you – get jiggy with it!
