The Farmers Market is the best thing EVER!

**missmanny** · 08-17-2008, 06:41 PM

lately I have been heading down to the Farmers market every two weeks to grab our fruit and vegetables. (well on and off)

I have known for a long time that it is much cheaper and the produce is better but there have been a few reasons that I sometimes just don't do it.

It is not the worlds most organised place - there are stalls everywhere and every stall has different stuff and different prices. So it is a bit confusing and overwhealming)

It costs a dollar to get in - this doesn't really bother me that much as the produce really is cheap (but really it is a bit rude) and it means that there is a big line waiting to get in.

It is a bit inconvenient, I could just get my stuff at the supermarker or green grocer at the same time I do my other groceries.

Well these are just excuses and after looking at my reciept from the week before when I didn't go to the market but went to the green grocer. and after reviewing what I spent yesterday, I have made myself a promise that I will go every two weeks from now on.

This is what I bought...

2.2 pounds Mushrooms
3.3 pounds potatoes
3 red peppers
2 lemons
2.2 pounds mandarins
2.2 pounds Tomatoes
2 Huge Rockmellons
2.2 pounds bananas
1 pound strawberries (also pretty expensive at $4.50)
1 pound onions
1 doz eggs (most expensive item at $4.50)

And all up the only cost me $16.00

and all of the produce is fantatsic. I would usually buy half as much as this for about $50 - $60.

I have learned my lesson and know now that it is worth the hastle and the time.

I encourage anyone who wants to eat healthier and cheaper to get to the market if you have one near you.

**HandyMom** · 08-17-2008, 08:14 PM

That is a bargain. Our local farmer's market was charging $1 for ONE ear of corn, and the corn was small. At that price, I guess I will not eat any corn from the farmer's market! No farmer's markets with reasonable prices to be found within 20 miles of my home.

**missmanny** · 08-17-2008, 08:30 PM

Handymom, that sucks - if it isn't cheaper or cheap how do they expect anyone to go?

You can notice that things are getting harder around here, there are twice as many people at the market as there used to be.

DSO recons that they will increase their proces soon, as with more people and it being such a good price surely there will be margin for them to increase their prices. supply and demand.

I hope that doesn't happen here. It would make me sad

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 08-17-2008, 09:29 PM

WOW!! Fantastic deals!!!

We actually do have a (very small) farmer's market up here...but it costs an arm and a leg to get ANYTHING!! It's nuts!! As if the produce at the grocery store isn't expensive enough here???

**peanut** · 08-17-2008, 11:19 PM

Wow! Good deals! Our Farmer's Market is really expensive and sells out of food before the end of the day usually. We can't afford to shop there.

Jean

**missyali** · 08-17-2008, 11:36 PM

We have quite a few markets around here and my kids and I love it! Sunday, we go to one, Wednesday is another, Saturday there are a few we can choose from. It's a good time and our prices are very reasonable.

**missmanny** · 08-17-2008, 11:39 PM

Obviously it just depends on where you are. I assumed that they were all the same.

I know that these prices are cheap - but I also know that the big supermarket chains would charge you three times as much but pay the farmer less then I do at the market so that makes me feel good as well.

**spyzvixxen** · 08-18-2008, 05:51 PM

If you have the patience of a saint and don't mind pushing and shoving and the random fruit avalanche...then the farmers market is where it's at. The things I go through to get a nice big juicy Jersey tomato! Def. much much cheaper than the grocery.

**Parksfamily5** · 08-18-2008, 07:30 PM

Our farmers market is sort of expensive. The produce is sooo much better than our local grocery stores. We definitely do not have the selection of the op. I do enjoy going but it is sort of inconvenient to where we live.

**Missy** · 08-18-2008, 08:11 PM

Wednesday and saturdays are the best days for farmers' markets here. I plan to go to ours this wednesday. I blogged our trip last wednesday.

**shoiji** · 08-18-2008, 08:49 PM

I am planning on going to one this Thursday. Will see how the prices are. I used to go to one years ago. Also when I had a car I would stop at the little street stands that local farmers would have.

**Ceashels** · 08-19-2008, 08:16 AM

Those are really good prices at a farmers market. I stopped at a local stand and they were charging what the supermarkets would charge. The only positive side of it was the quality is so much better. I'll be scoping out the other markets in the area as I know there are others with more venders and cheaper prices.

**debbiepete** · 08-19-2008, 09:14 AM

We only have 1 local stand. Its an old lady and man that run it. She is as sweet as sugar. Love buying from them. Normally cukes are 2/1.00. Sweet potatoes .59 lb Tomatoes .99 lb. Zucchini and summer squash .69 a lb.
Which reminds me I need to go before the weekend and stock up.
We love fresh veggies.

**santoria** · 08-19-2008, 10:07 AM

I love the farmers market.....but NEVER spend any money there.

ours is more of the 'status' thing....its the IN thing to go to the farmers market. So the market prices accordingly....add a few dollars onto everything.

there are a few in the smaller towns around the city, which are nice - some the hutterites bring their veggies and stuff great stuff.

**heartofmine** · 08-19-2008, 02:37 PM

We don't have a farmer's market but we have a fruit market run by a family. They are a lot cheaper than the grocery stores around here but still high on the corn. 3 ears for $1.00. I try to go about once a week. On occasion I also buy from local farmers. I just got Peaches and cream corn for $2.50 a dozen. Most people here are charging $4.00 and $5.00 a dozen.