When was the last time you ate a peach that had juice squirt when you took a bite? Or a tomato that tasted like a...tomato? More and more people are finding that purchasing fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy and eggs from local farmers is enhancing the flavor of their meals. Why shop at a farmers’ market? If for nothing else, the taste.

Whether you are new to shopping at a Farmers’ Market or accustomed to the environment, you will find information to enhance your shopping experience on this page.

The following three documents are projects funded by the Project FRESH-Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and Michigan State University Extension.

How to know what’s in season (159kb .pdf)
This pamphlet describes what you can expect to find at a Farmers’ Market during certain times of the year. It will assist you with developing your shopping list before going to the market.

Get Fresh! Cookbook (2004) (1.11mb .pdf)
This cookbook has 80 recipes to help you develop meals around the produce you find at the market.

How Much Should I Buy? (3.02mb .pdf)
This guide to fresh fruits and vegetables for home cooking will help you determine how much to buy of a fresh produce item for a given recipe measure.

“Farmers’ Market Speak”
This glossary will help you understand terminology you will hear at the market.

Shopping Tips
New or experienced shoppers will find these suggestions helpful for enhancing your shopping experience.