Farmers’ Market Finds: What to Buy + Recipes to Make With Your Haul

There’s a lot to love about summertime: longer days, sunshine, beach weather. But if you’re a foodie, you know the REAL highlight of summer is the farmers’ market. 

I love strolling through the farmers’ market on the weekend to see what’s in season and chat with the local farmers and vendors. Sometimes it’s fun to go and just browse, but other times, it’s good to go in with a plan. And that’s where this post comes in!

Consider this your ultimate guide to the best farmers’ market finds, with seasonal highlights and practical tips to help you make the most out of your shopping trip.

The Best Things to Buy at the Farmers’ Market

Generally speaking, the best things to buy at the farmers’ market are local items. Some vendors will source products from outside the area, so if you live in Wisconsin and you see a vendor selling peaches in April, be wary! 

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, here’s the nitty-gritty:

Fruits and Vegetables

Supermarket produce is often grown with transportation in mind, not flavor. And a strawberry or tomato that can withstand a trip across the country probably isn’t going to taste as good as one picked at the peak of ripeness! Farmers’ markets allow you to buy truly the best produce, often picked the morning of the market.

Fresh Herbs

Yes, there’s basil, cilantro, and all the standard herbs you expect, but where else can you find things like epazote or Thai basil?! Be on on the lookout for fun finds that you can get creative with in the kitchen. Here’s how to store the fresh herbs you buy, and some ways to use leftover herbs too.

Baked Goods

Most farmers’ markets have at least a few vendors selling breads, pastries, and other sweet treats. Enjoying a flaky croissant while strolling through the market is one of the simple pleasures of summertime!

Eggs and Dairy

Farm-fresh eggs have richer yolks which make them extra delicious in Scrambled Eggs and these days, you can often find them cheaper than the eggs they sell at the grocery store. And if your farmers’ market has a vendor that sells cheese, be sure to bring home a few different varieties. Hard cheeses wrapped in parchment paper can last quite a while in the fridge!

Honey, Preserves, Pickles, and Canned Goods

I love buying canned salsas and sauces that I can use to make meals for the week, but there’s no shortage of options for stocking your pantry.

Meat and Seafood

The availability of seafood depends on where you live, but locally-raised meat and poultry is usually easy to find at farmers’ markets.

What to Expect Each Month

It’s difficult to break down what you can expect each month at the farmers’ market because this varies a great deal depending on where you live. In the South, summer favorites like peaches and corn will be available much earlier than they are in the North. But here’s a general guide to give you an idea of what to expect during the outdoor market season.

• April–June: Spring brings asparagus, peas, strawberries, new potatoes, and all kinds of lettuces. You might also find herbs, radishes, and small zucchini.
• July–August: This is peak season! Expect tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, corn, peaches and other stone fruit, green beans, berries, melons, peppers, and eggplant. Depending on your location, you may also find veggies like cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage.
• September–October: In September, you’re still getting the tail end of summer produce. So get those tomatoes and sweet corn while you can! This is also when you’ll start finding pumpkins, winter squash, apples, and pears. Hearty greens like kale hit the market around this time too.

Tips for Farmers’ Market Shopping

Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tips for making the most of my farmers’ market visits. Here are some pointers.

Bring Reusable Bags

Any old tote will do, but I really love Baggu bags because they’re super cute and they fold up so unbelievably small, I can fit them in my purse, so I never have to worry about forgetting them.

Go Early

This is when you get the very best selection of produce. It’s also when it’s not as hot or crowded, so if you have an aversion to heat or crowds, or you just want to find the best parking space, it’s worth it to be an early bird!

Or Go Late

A lot of vendors will have sold out at this point and some may have even closed up shop, but if you’re a bargain hunter, this is the time to go. 

Use Cash

These days, everyone has a card reader at their booth, but the purchasing process is faster if you just pay in cash. (Your fellow shoppers will thank you!)

Talk to the Farmers

It’s not always practical if there’s a long line, but if there’s not, ask them what’s tasting best this week, what you can do with the kohlrabi they’re selling, or how to pick the best corn. You can also find out about farming practices this way; some farms aren’t certified organic because there are a lot of hoops to jump through for that official certification, but they do use organic and sustainable farming practices or skip spraying.

Don’t Go With a Shopping List

Yes, you want a plan, but you don’t want a menu plan. It can be difficult to hit everything you need on a shopping list at the farmers’ market due to seasonality. So instead, I buy what looks good at the market and then I plan my meals for the week around those items. So if asparagus looks good, I’ll go home, peruse a few recipe options, and maybe decide on One-Pan Baked Salmon and Asparagus because I have salmon on hand too.

My Favorite Recipes for Using Fresh Summer Produce

Here are a few recipes to help you put your farmers’ market haul to good use!