Farmers’ Market Shopping

A KEY INGREDIENT FOR MEAL PLANNING ON A BUDGET

When trying to eat nutritiously and deliciously on a tight budget, peak-season, locally grown vegetables and fruits are key ingredients. Simple but thoughtful meal planning is also a must.

Here are a few tips I use in my own household that make shopping and cooking a joy, and provide delicious meals without breaking the bank.

PEAK-SEASON PRODUCE YIELDS POTENTIAL DEALS

Having a connection to where your food comes from makes a difference every day, year round. Shopping at local farmers’ markets offers the opportunity for a person-to-person relationship with your farmer and rancher, cheesemaker and baker. When fruits and vegetables come into peak season, farmers often have an overabundance, which means they may be inclined to lower prices to entice consumers to take them home, especially at the end of the market day.

Talk to the farmer behind the table at your local farmers’ market—if they know you are on a budget they can steer you towards more affordable choices. They are also fantastic resources for recipes and cooking tips for what they grow.

PLAN YOUR MEALS

Find a few recipes that you know you and your family enjoy, and keep them in your back pocket as “go-tos.” Make a shopping list before you go to the market, but think of it as more of a loose road map than a strict order. Staples like onions, garlic, fresh herbs and chili peppers are almost always available at the farmers’ market and great to have on hand to add flavor to many dishes.

Incorporating seasonal recipes into your meal plan helps to keep cooking and eating fresh and interesting, so check out the new recipes in every issue of Edible Marin & Wine Country to mix it up. The last 10-plus years of our recipes are also archived online at EdibleMarinAndWineCountry.com!

FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/ CalFresh) participants can use their benefits to purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy and baked goods from eligible vendors at local farmers’ markets. Market Match, a state program, doubles the purchasing power of SNAP/ CalFresh. Market Match dollars may only be used to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables.

Not all markets participate, so do your research before you go. Kelly Smith, executive director of the Agricultural Community Events Farmers’ Market group of markets in Marin and Sonoma counties, recommends visiting the information booth at most farmers’ markets to find out more about how these programs work and how to sign up.