Farmers' Market vs. Grocery Store—Here's What You're Overpaying For

Farmers' markets can be really wonderful places to shop and a great place to source specialty items (or ensure that your produce is grown safely and sustainably). There can also be some sticker shock if you are not used to the prices.

Sure, there are bargains, but it may seem strange to buy directly from farmers and still see higher prices than grocery stores. Don't you cut out the middleman by shopping at farmers' markets? Why aren't the prices lower?

As you'll see, sometimes the prices at farmers' markets reflect other elements of the growing process, not just the end-stage selling. You may be buying a higher-quality food than what you'd buy at the store, which could more than justify the cost.

Here is what you should buy at the farmers' market versus the grocery store —when it's worth paying just a bit extra. Plus, what to keep in mind when you're shopping.

What to Always Buy at the Farmers' Market

• Fresh herbs will always be fresher, last longer, and be less expensive at your farmers' markets. Treat them like cut flowers, keep the stems in water, and store them in the fridge if your kitchen tends to be hot.

• Stone fruits like peaches and plums, as well as berries, will always be better from the farmers' markets, and the sellers will be able to guide you on both use and storage. Tell them when you want to eat them, and let them help you pick the perfect fruit.

• Delicate lettuces and greens are a great choice for the farmers' market, and fresh flowers will last longer than grocery-store blooms.

• If you see specialty items, like morel mushrooms, tropea onions, rose finn potatoes, black raspberries, garlic scapes, or ramps, those are hardly ever available in regular grocers, or they are available at a serious premium with little quality guarantee. So, when you find them at the farmers' markets, buy them.

• And sweet corn will just always be better from the farmer than anything you can find at a grocery store.

What To Skip at the Farmers' Markets

Basic staples—onions, carrots, celery, russet potatoes, iceberg lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, scallions, bell peppers—are all most often going to be less expensive at the grocery store with little variation in quality, especially if you buy organic. So don't make a special effort to buy at the markets. Save the room in your bags for the really fun stuff.

Other Items To Buy at Farmers' Markets

Local honey, prepared foods or condiments, sustainably raised meats or poultry, farm  eggs , cured meats or local cheeses, and baked goods from local bakeries are always going to be wonderful additions to your market shopping.

Things To Keep in Mind at the Farmers' Market

Compare Prices

Presume that what you are buying at the market is likely organic and sustainably raised . Most farmers use these growing methods, but the cost of certification is so high that they don't take the formal steps to be recognized as organic, sustainable farmers.

For that reason, you shouldn't compare prices of non-organic produce from the grocery store to the high-quality organic produce at the farmers' market. A quart of farmers' market strawberries might be as much as double the commercially-raised version, but it is also going to be hand-picked at the peak of ripeness, and likely grown without any chemicals. When you do a one-for-one comparison, be sure you are comparing the farmers' market strawberries to the organic strawberries at the supermarket.

Ask the Farmer Some Questions

Sometimes farmers' markets allow local farmers to bring in produce from other states, especially to expand availability in locations with shorter growing seasons. Here in Illinois, for example, we often get peaches from Michigan or Indiana , where they are available earlier than locally. At markets, local farmers will buy produce directly from partner farmers and should label it so consumers know.

But sometimes stalls may ship in items to bulk out their offerings, and you could end up buying restaurant supply onions or potatoes , not knowing they aren't locally grown. Buying commercial goods from your farmer is fine if you want to support them or for convenience, but don't bother if you are going to hit a grocery store anyway. Be sure to ask the sellers about what they offer and where it came from.

Consider How You'll Use the Food

For any item you are going to eat raw or minimally cooked , you'll always have a better experience with farmers' market products. If you are making a long-cooked dish like a soup or stew, you will lose some of the intense freshness of those flavors, so you might want to go to the grocery store for those items, unless the market prices are really terrific.

Read the original article on Allrecipes