The Centerpiece of Local Food: Your Farmer's Market

Dana DiPrima
May 14
3 min read

Tap into this 36-page Farmer's Market Field Guide!

If you want to feel the pulse of your local food community, there’s no better place to start than your local farmer’s market. It’s where you can shake hands with the people who grow your food, discover what’s in season, and invest directly in your local economy.

Here's Why the Farmer’s Market Matters

Stronger Local Economies: For every dollar you spend at a farmer’s market, up to 62% stays in your community, compared to just 15% when you shop at a big-box store.

Fresher Food: The average market item travels just 50 miles from farm to table, compared to 1,500 miles for grocery store goods. That means fresher, tastier produce.

Direct Impact: Farmers keep around 87% of the profits at a market versus just 15% via retail or wholesale.

But it’s more than just numbers.

Farmer’s markets are about connection. You’re meeting the people behind your food, building relationships, and supporting the kinds of farms that are often overlooked in a food system dominated by industrial agriculture.

Getting Started

Find Your Market: Not sure where to go? Try a quick online search like “farmer’s market near me” or check local listings. Some markets even have their own apps or social media pages with hours and vendor lists.

Plan for the Season: Remember, markets reflect the seasons. In spring, you might find early greens and asparagus. In summer, it’s tomatoes and corn. Fall brings pumpkins and winter squash. Winter markets can surprise you with fresh greens, local honey, and pantry staples like grains and dried beans.

Bring the Right Gear: Cash, reusable bags, a cooler if you’re buying meat or dairy, and maybe even a cart if you’re planning a big haul.

Talk to the Farmers: Start with some small talk—ask about what’s in season, how the farm got its name, or what crops they’re excited about this year. It’s a little like dating—take it slow, come back often, and you might just find your perfect produce match.

Try Something New: Be adventurous. If you’ve never cooked with kohlrabi or Romanesco, grab one and ask the farmer how they like to prepare it. I once bought a bright yellow watermelon just because it was beautiful, and it turned out to be one of the best summer snacks.

Ready to Explore?

Download the Farmer’s Market Field Guide for more tips and insider advice. You can find it HERE.

xo Dana

Dana DiPrima is leading a national movement to support small American Farmers because our health, communities, environment, and regional economies depend on it. The For Farmers Movement supports farmers by sharing their stories, replacing myths with facts, and providing them with grants and other helpful resources.

Dana is also the host of One Bite is Everything, the podcast that connects the food on your plate to the bigger world by sharing conversations with thought leaders, helpful tips, and monthly recaps of key issues on the food and policy scene. One Bite is Everything is a proud member of Heritage Radio Network, home to some of the most influential voices in food.

Dana authors a weekly letter in addition to this blog. You can subscribe here. You can join the For Farmers Movement to support your local farmers here. You can also follow Dana on Instagram.