5 ways to get the best deals at the farmer's market
JD of Get Rich Slowly did a survey of his local grocery shopping options, from the farmer's market to the expensive grocery store, the discount grocery store, the produce stand, and more. He expected the farmer's market would be the best value for his money. The winner was actually the produce stand, judged both by price and by a little rating chart that gives points for the store being convenient, supporting local farmers, etc.
At the Ithaca Farmer's Market, the average prices are sometimes more than you'd pay elsewhere, but the produce isn't nearly the same. You don't get vine-ripened Cherokee Purple tomatoes, to name one of my favorites, from any kind of indoor shopping experience. [Update: Wegman's has them, but at $4/lb. Compare to $3-$3.50 at the market.]
Meanwhile, plenty of produce is cheap, and it can be cheaper if you know how to shop around. Here are a few tips on getting the most veggies for your money at the farmer's market.
1. Watch the calendar. Some things are most expensive when they're the first of the crop; wait another week or two and you may find the same veggies cheaper when they're at their peak.
2. Shop around. At the Sunday markets, it seems Mandeville Farm always has the lowest prices - like $2.50 for a "healthy pound" of heirloom tomatoes when everyone else's heirlooms are $3 and up. I always walk twice around the market, once to see what's available at what prices, and the second time to start buying.
3. Look for deals at the end of the day. Many farmers will give you a good price to take veggies they'd otherwise have to pack up and take home.
4. Try a CSA! Several of the farms here offer a market stand option - instead of asking you to pick up a box of veggies from the farm, they'll let you take what you like from their stall at the market (typically with limits on the scarcer items). This is a big money-saver if you eat a lot of veggies.
5. Don't eat the prepared food at the market. OK, this is a ridiculous suggestion. The only time I ever pass up spicy fried bananas and coconut juice at the market is when I'm on my way to Macro Mama's for a $7+ platter of deliciousness. But you could save money by cooking $7 worth of produce at home. Not that I would suggest you miss out on Macro Mama's! But it's something to think about. :)