In the summer months, a trip to the Farmers Market is, hands down, one of our fave family outings.  There’s not a more enjoyable way to buy groceries, while also trying (and learning about) local food, and meeting the farmers who grow what we’re eating.

It’s no wonder that BC has seen a huge rise in the number of shoppers frequenting farmers markets. We were thrilled to recently come across this article in the Vancouver Sun, which highlights the growing popularity of markets as a shopping destination.

Whether you’re a regular market shopper or newbie on the ‘local’ scene, we’d recommend you approach your next market visit with a bit of strategy. Here are 10 must-know tips, courtesy or our Twitter community, for making the most of your seasonal shopping. Let us know if you have more to add by commenting here!

1. "Go early when the market opens. Bring cash. Bring re-useable bags."

— Karen Humphrey (@scatteredmom)

2. "Always bring more reusable grocery bags than you think you'll need ;) we always end up buying loads more than expected!"

— Earth's Choice (@earths_choice)

 

3. "Meal plan before you go so you use what you buy but don't be afraid of trying new foods!"

— Mairi (@iriaml)

 

4. "Take a sturdy market basket so you don't crush the fresh bounty. We bring a trolley bag!"

— Project CHEF (@Project_CHEF)

5. "On hot days I like to take a cooler bag in my car too, to keep fruit/veg from wilting."

— Karen Humphrey (@scatteredmom) 

 

6. "Get there early & avoid the crowd! And, of course, THANK A FARMER."

— My Garden Footprint (@mgfsite)

 

7. "Try something new each week! Also ask farmers about their fave way to cook & eat their products."

— Oak Street Market (@oakstreetmarket)

 

8. "Walk around the market first to take in all the bounty then go back and make your choices."

— BC Farmers' Markets (@BCFarmersMarket)

 

9. "I like chatting with the vendors to learn their favourite tips for preparing the food they sell."

— Desiree Nielsen RD (@DesireeRD)

10. Research any special events/offerings your local Farmers Market might have on hand, such as soap-making workshops, canning   demonstrations, or opportunities such as this fantastic opportunity to learn cooking skills from some of the most notable chefs in Vancouver at the Trout Lake Market.  

Have a few more market shopping tips to share? Tweet us or join the conversation on Facebook.