10 Tips for First Time Farmers Market Shoppers

As America gears up for National Farmers Market Week, August 7-13, 2016 there are still thousands of people who’ve never shopped at a farmers market. Become a savvy farmers’ market shopper by reviewing these tips.

1. Know what’s in season. Unlike the grocery store, farmers markets carry locally grown produce and the varieties depend on what’s ripe in the season and what grows in your area. To get a sneak preview of the market’s offerings, visit its website or facebook page.
2. Bring a bag or two (or a cart).. Since you won’t have a shopping cart to push around, sturdy reusable totes, bags, or baskets are a must at a farmers market. Bring an assortment of different bags to keep heavy squash and melons separate from delicate peaches or tomatoes. Bonus points for remembering your own plastic bags!
3. Bring a portable cooler in the summer. If you’re buying frozen meats, cheese, or delicate produce, a portable cooler can help you get your purchases home cool and unscathed.
4. Bring cash, preferably small bills as most farmers’ markets are cash only affairs. Increasingly, farmers and markets can accept debit and credit cards. Some markets even accept SNAP/EBT benefits. Check with your market in advance or bring cash.
5. Come early. When you have your heart set on the season’s first strawberries, know that they sell out fast. Seasonal favorites and the most popular varieties often sell out early, especially in small markets.
6. Come in the coolest part of the day in the summer. This is southern Illinois and a few hours outside in the heat takes its toll on everything, including produce. Give your produce a break by buying it as soon as it arrives at market.
7. Walk through the market before you buy. Check out all the vendors at the market before you start buying. This will allow you to compare quality, variety, and prices.
8. Ask questions. You’ll learn what that amazing herb is, how hot that new pepper is, what that strange fruit is, and how to store, prepare and eat it. If it’s important to you, ask your farmers about their growing methods.
9. Try new things. Farmers are notoriously curious people and they’ll appreciate your curiosity too. They often try new varieties of heirloom vegetables and foreign fruits that you won’t find in the grocery store. If you see something you do not recognize, consider it an invitation to try something new.
10. Pack and store your produce properly. Take care transporting your delicious produce home so that it does not get overheated or bruised. When you get your food home, learn the tricks to storing for the best flavor.

 
Below, please find a list of southern Illinois farmers markets. This list does not contain roadside farmstands and on-farm stores which are also great ways to buy directly from farmers.  This list may not contain every market. Please notify Food Works at kathleen@eatsouthernillinois.org with any corrections or additions.

• Anna/Union County – Tuesdays, 7 a.m. - Noon, East Davie St.
• Belleville Old Town Market– Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. - Noon, 512 W. Main St.
• Benton – Thursdays, 3-6 p.m., Benton Community Park, 414 W. Huddleson St.
• Cannon Park Community Market(Carterville)- Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m. behind the Community Center at Cannon Park, 120 N Greenbriar Rd.
• Farmers Market of Carbondale – Saturdays, 8 a.m.-Noon at the West Towne Centre Mall (west of Murdale Shopping Center) at 2001 W. Main St.
• Carlyle Courthouse Square (Carlyle) – Thursdays, 4-7 p.m., 8th Street between Franklin and Fairfax Streets
• Centralia, Saturdays, 7 a.m.- Noon, E 2nd St At S. Locust St.
• Cobden- Sundays 11am-3pm, Indoors at the Old Feed Store 111 Appleknocker Drive
• Community Farmers Market (Carbondale) – Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m., downtown Carbondale on the 200 Block of Washington Street, (between Oak and Jackson Streets, near Town Square)
• Elkville- Thursdays 3:30-6:30pm, 100 Block of North 5th Street, next to Elkville Fire department
• DuQuoin – Saturdays  mornings beginning at 7:30 a.m. on the southwest side of Keyes City park
  

• Golconda -- Saturdays 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. on the Golconda Court House lawn
  
• Harrisburg Area Farmers Market (Harrisburg)- Saturdays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Saline County Fairgrounds
  
• Herrin- Saturdays, 8 a.m.- Noon, 400 N. Park Ave. in downtown Herrin, IL. 
  
•  Johnston City- Fridays, 3-6 p.m., Downtown on Broadway near city hall (100 West Broadway Boulevard
  
• Metropolis- Saturdays, 8am to Noon, Courthouse lawn, Superman Square
• McLeansboro: Wednesdays. Mornings and 3-6 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the intersection of Hwys. 142 and 14 (S Jackson & Randolph).
• Monroe County (Columbia) – Thursdays, 3-6 p.m. at Schnucks
• Monroe County (Waterloo) Saturdays, 7:30-11:30 a.m. at Family Video across from Rural King. 
• Murphysboro - Saturdays, 8 a.m. - Noon, downtown, 1101 Walnut St.
• Nashville- Thursdays, 7 -11 a.m. in front of the Washington County Courthouse.
• Olmsted - First Saturday of the Month, 8 a.m.-Noon, Front Street, downtown Olmsted
• Pinckneyville – Tuesdays 3 - 5:30 p.m. along Highway 13/127 South at the Kellerman's Feed Store
• Salem Community Farmers Market- Thursdays, 2-5 p.m. inside Bryan Memorial State Park off Route 37, Boone and Broadway
• Sparta – Fridays, 3-6 p.m., Corner of Broadway and St. Louis.
• Swansea -Thursdays- 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rural King parking lot
• Vienna- Saturdays-(no set hours) in the Vienna City Park at the pavilion just West of the Forman Depot.