Navigating the Market

I love market days!!! For me, working at the Hilo Farmers Market has been a great way to meet people, learn about local places and most of all find all the freshest fruits and veggies in the area. But do not be fooled! Not all fruits and vegetable vendors are created equal! Some vendors ship produce in, repackage it and try to pass it off as their own. Even worse, some people will tell you their produce is organic when in reality it is not.
If you want to make sure that you are purchasing farm fresh produce from the grower all you have to do is follow my 4 easy steps!
Step 1 Ask Around- Ask a vendor who doesn't sell what you are looking for. We know who actually grows their produce, who is actually organic, and if they have good prices. Because we depend on your business we won't steer you in the wrong direction. If you ask someone selling tomatoes, " who has the best tomatoes" you aren't going to get an honest answer. But, if you ask the strawberry lady (if she's out of tomatoes that is) she'll tell you where to go.
Step 2 Ask the Vendor- If you ask pointed questions like, "Where is your farm?" or "How are you related to the farmer?" you'll be able to weed out the growers from the non growers. Other questions like, "When was this picked?" and "What else do you grow" are also great questions in determining if your produce is actually farm fresh and from your area. Specific answers like, " In Mountain View; my dad is the farmer; I picked this yesterday;  we also grow carrots I just don't have any today," are great indications that you are purchasing straight from the grower.
Step 3 Look at the Produce- I know this sounds bad but if the produce looks too good to be true it is probably imported. Organic fruits and vegetables especially hold true to this statement. Organic produce at a farmers market should have a blemish or two and if they don't you should ask what they do with their seconds. I listened in on a conversation happening at the booth next to me and it went something like this; Customer: "Last week I had 6 berries out of the bunch that had worms in them!" Farmer: "Well, at least you know we aren't lying when we say we're organic." We are so accustomed to having bug free imported produce that we forget that if we purchase organic fruits or veggies there is a chance that something got there before we did! Expect a bruise or a blemish and don't let that turn you away from the produce, unless of course it is beyond eating around it or cutting it out.
Step 4 Form a Relationship- that's right, make the person behind the table your best friend. We will save the best for you if we know what you like and the frequency in which you shop. We like having regulars and actually enjoy talking with you! I have my favorite customers and if I know they are coming in I will save an item I am about to sell out of. Let's face it, you always have to eat so why not establish a great relationship with a person that can and will make sure you eat well.

I hope these simple steps help guide you along your own farmers market journey as well as help you form some great relationships with farmers in your area.

Forever Seeking Aloha,
Britt