By Anne Brooks and Rachel Burks
Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Family Nutrition Program
Many people recognize the benefits of shopping at farmers markets: customers can purchase fresh, high quality foods while supporting hard-working local farmers and the local economy. Unfortunately, farmers markets have a reputation for being expensive. We’re here to debunk this myth! With these key strategies, farmers market abundance can fit into any budget.
Double Your Dollars with your EBT or P-EBT Card
Many farmers markets participate in the Virginia Fresh Match Program. This program allows shoppers using SNAP benefits to DOUBLE their dollars. This means that if you spend $10 with your EBT or P-EBT card at a participating farmers market, you’ll get another $10 to spend. This program can only be used to purchase fruits and vegetables as well as food-producing plants. You can find a participating farmers market near you by visiting vfm.leapforlocalfood.org/locations.
Browse Before Buying
It can be tempting to purchase the first pint of strawberries you see, but consider walking through the entire farmers market once before buying. Quality and prices can vary greatly from stand to stand at the farmers market. When you arrive at the market, spend a few minutes browsing, and pay attention to the quality and prices of the items at each stand. Then, use these observations to make decisions about what to purchase.
Ask About Discounts
Some farmers are willing to sell misshapen or slightly bruised produce at a discounted rate, particularly towards the end of the day. By purchasing these “imperfect” foods, you will not only be saving yourself money, but also reducing food waste. Certain items may also be less expensive when purchased in bulk, so make sure to ask about discounts for purchasing larger amounts of an item. Any leftover produce from your bulk purchase can be frozen, canned, or incorporated into baked goods for later consumption.
For more tips and healthy, affordable recipes, visit www.eatsmartmovemoreva.org.
