Farmer's Markets: Making Sustainability Fun and Delicious!

Farmer's Markets are a popular sustainable alternative to traditional grocery shopping. They are healthier for your body and the environment and they support your local economy and farmers. Not to mention, they are just plain more fun!

I visited the Sterling Farmer’s Market, which runs every Friday in my hometown of Sterling, MA and the Canal District Farmer’s Market, which runs every Saturday in Worcester, MA.

One of the biggest appeals of Farmer’s Markets is the freshness. Baked goods come straight from the chef's oven and fruits and veggies are picked the same day as the market or the day before. You can’t get any fresher unless you grow the food yourself.

Many of the products at Farmer's Markets are organic and most farmers refrain from using pesticides or chemicals on their plants. This is great for our bodies, but also means that the food will go bad faster.

But keeping your Farmer's Market haul fresh isn't impossible. With some tried and true tips you'll be able to get the most out of your local goods. Once you get home, make sure to store fruits and vegetables separately from each other. Fruits give off Ethylene gas, which causes vegetables to go bad faster. Lettuce and kale can be kept crispy for well over a week if wrapped up in plastic wrap (or similar alternative) with a damp paper towel. Other items, such as scallions, green onions, and asparagus are better kept in a glass of water to prevent wilting.

Another draw is the appearance of the fruits and vegetables. They are flat out gorgeous. The produce holds beautiful, vibrant colors that you just don’t see at the grocery store.

But the absolute best part is the FLAVORS! Food from the Farmer's Markets graces your tastebuds in a way that mass produced offerings never can.

Deep red strawberries are packed with sweet flavors that leave you craving more. The farmer who grew the berries explained that strawberries are currently at their peak ripeness, which is what gives them their exceptional flavor and added nutritional value. I literally bought $52 worth (no I'm not joking) because they tasted THAT GOOD.

Buying in bulk is not only cheaper, but it is completely necessary! You will agree once you taste those delicious berries. Freezing the strawberries allows you to preserve their perfection for weeks to come (that is if you don't scarf them all down first) so you can buy as many as your heart desires.

Wash and dry the strawberries (don't let them soak in water), remove the tops, and place them on a baking sheet without touching one another. Cover the strawberries with plastic wrap (or alternative) and freeze until they are completely solid. Transfer the frozen berries to a reusable container and put them back in the freezer until ready to use.

Fresh fruits and veggies aren't the only thing you can get at a Farmer’s Market. There are plenty of savory options for those of us who get more excited by dessert than dinner.

You can find all sorts of mouthwatering treats like breads, muffins, pastries, homemade ice cream, and even maple sugar coated pecans (a personal favorite)! 

The Challah Bread I got from the market was simply scrumptious, especially when paired with the various homemade spreads I purchased. I curbed my initial instinct to eat the whole loaf because the bread was so perfect for stuffed french toast (it was worth the wait). 

Also be on the lookout for unique gems such as hard ciders, wines, meats, soaps, candles, cutting boards, plants, flowers, herbs and more! The possibilities are endless, so explore!

The social aspect of Farmer’s Markets is what makes them so inviting. They're a fabulous place to hang with your family and friends and enjoy the great outdoors! Chatting with fellow shoppers (and their dogs♥) and farmers is a lot of fun. The entire community has unique ideas to share and you can learn a lot from simply listening.

One farmer even solved my avocado problem! He gave me tips on how to ripen an avocado that was determined to stay rock solid (I have been waiting extremely impatiently to make some Greek Avocado Toast). 

The market changes each week depending on the farmers' inventory and the season. Part of the fun is exploring and finding all sorts of new things every time you visit. I'm already excited to see what next week has to offer! 

Click here to find a Farmer's Market near you!