Savor the Season: A Guide to Getting the Most out of Your Farmers Market
August 6 – 12 is National Farmers Market Week
8/4/2023
Aspirus Wausau Hospital Farmer's Market
Great people-watching,
lively conversation, the sights and sounds, and—especially—flavors of the
season. What’s not to like about the farmers market?
A farmers market is a
great place to find fresh fruits and vegetables, support fellow community
members and try new things.
“Try and stock up on a
rainbow of colors such as apples, cucumbers, berries, peppers and fresh herbs,”
said Bonnie Hessedal, Aspirus Registered Dietician and Diabetes Educator.
“Don't be shy to try out new produce. It's an awesome way to add some excitement
to your taste buds. Who knows, you might just stumble upon a new favorite that
you never knew you loved.”
If you're new to the
farmers market scene, it can be a little intimidating. Or maybe you're a
regular, but you've fallen into a routine. Read on for some tips on making your
farmers market outing the best it can be:
Plan and prioritize. Are you after the most
picturesque produce? Then it's best to beat the crowds and arrive early. That's
when you'll find the freshest selections and the most variety.
If you want the lowest prices, go ahead and sleep in.
You can find some great deals as the market winds down and vendors become eager
to sell off their remaining wares.
Stock up on staples but branch out too. Maybe
you can't get enough heirloom tomatoes. Or your kids eat berries and pears like
candy. You can buy a week's worth in one go.
But why stop at the familiar? While browsing
the market, you may find foods you've never tried before. If a piece of produce
is new to you, don't be shy. Ask the vendor about the best ways to prepare it.
You may even get a sample or a recipe.
Use a critical eye. As with any food shopping
experience, it's important to keep safety in mind.
Here are a couple of
points to remember:
- Meats, eggs, dairy,
fish, and precut fruits and vegetables should be displayed on ice. If they're
not, pass them by.
- Bring several totes to
keep produce and raw meat separate. Bring an insulated bag or a cooler and ice
for meat, eggs and dairy products.
- Steer clear of milk,
ciders and juices that have not been pasteurized.
- Fruits and vegetables
from the farmers market need to be washed just like produce from the grocery
store. A rinse or scrub with plain water is best.
Bring some green. It's best to bring cash to
the farmers market. But many markets accept alternative forms of payment, such
as checks, debit cards or other food assistance.
Aspirus Health
established a Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program which helps provide
patients with access to fresh produce. Eligible patients are given a
“prescription” to use at one of many participating farmers markets in the
Aspirus service area. Talk to your primary care provider to see if you qualify
for the FVRx program. For more information and the list of participating
farmers market locations, visit www.aspirus.org/fvrx-program.
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