HAPPY FARMERS MARKET WEEK!




In case you weren't aware, August 4-10, 2013 is National Farmers' Market Week.

Don't worry, with over sixty markets taking place on almost every day of the week throughout the greater Cleveland area, you still have plenty of time to celebrate.


I've already visited two markets this week and it's only Thursday!

A few of my personal favorites include the charming First Baptist Church Farmers' Market (because it's so close to my house), the beautiful Howe Meadow Farmers' Market run by the nice folks at the Countryside Conservancy, Tremont Farmers' Market, and the grand-daddy, 81-year-old Coit Road Farmers' Market in East Cleveland.

If you need a little help locating a market that's convenient to where you live or work, check out this handy Farmers' Market directory compiled by Edible Cleveland.

Don't know what to do with all that summer bounty? Check out my favorite recipes, organized by ingredient here. Also, check out this new cool tool, the Farmers' Market Recipe Generator designed by Mark Bittman at The New York Times.

To further inspire you to get out there and re-direct some of your spending from the anonymous global grocers of the world to our lovable, local farmers and producers, I thought I'd also share a few farmers' market shopping tips I've learned over the years:

  • Don't sleep in. The early bird really does get the worm -- or the blueberries in this case. If a market opens at 9am, get there on time or shortly after to snag the sweetest peaches and other seasonal specialties. Special items or produce that's just coming into season will get snapped up quickly. (And if you do sleep in, don't complain. It's not the farmer's fault you were lazy and missed those vine-ripened heirloom tomatoes.) While we're on this subject, I might also add, don't arrive at the market early. Vendors need time to set up their stands and should not really be selling ahead of the official market opening time.
  • Pack a cooler. Summer temperatures fluctuate a lot this time of year. A foggy morning turns into 80 sunshine in a matter of minutes. Pack delicate market purchases like berries any other perishables in a cooler and you'll have more time to flirt with farmers instead of racin home to your fridge.
  • Take cash. More and more vendors are accepting credit cards and some also take checks but this is still not the norm at most markets. So, hit the ATM before you shop. If you're on a tight budget, take only what you want to spend so you're not tempted to overdo it. Put a $20 in your pocket, peruse the market offerings, and buy your favorites or a few really special ingredients to liven up your meals this week.
  • Get the lay of the land. Sometimes I like to peruse what's available before making any decisions. You can see who has the biggest onions, the tastiest berries, or the best bargains before making your final purchases.
  • Practice supply-side shopping. Plan your cooking around what you find at the market, what's fresh, in season, delicious and affordable -- not the other way around.
  • Find the biggest bang for your buck. We all have our favorite market finds. For me, it's always the items that have the biggest flavor difference between what I can find at the store and their fresh, local counterpart. Broccoli is one of these items. Freshly harvested broccoli bears no resemblance to that limp, sulfur-flavored stuff at the store. Fresh berries are another indulgence that have absolutely no supermarket counterpart. And, of course, heirloom tomatoes. I buy all I can get my hands on and enjoy them now, and I can or freeze a few for a taste of summer sunshine come January.
  • Don't be shy. If you don't know what kohlrabi is or how to cook it, by all means, ask! Farmers always have the best recipes and cooking tips! Many markets also have a market information table staffed with helpful folks who can answer questions and point you in the right direction if there is something specific you're looking for. 

Ok, enough already. Go, shop, eat, and have fun!