Dig In’s farmers markets tips

Dig In to Vermont Farmers Markets

By Dig In Vermont

Spring is the start of farmers market season in Vermont. Visiting a farmers market is a great way to explore a region, discover new foods, and bring home a basket of ingredients to inspire your next meal.

Here are some of the things you can expect to find on your next trip to the farmers market: fresh vegetables and fruits, pickles, jams, maple syrup, cheese, crafts made by Vermont artisans (think pottery, jewelry, soaps, fiber arts), spirits, prepared foods, and more! It’s a great place to find gifts, too. Many markets have musicians playing every week making each market even more of a celebration of arts, food and community.

Bring a cooler & a basket or reusable bags

Be ready for an adventure! No matter which farmers market you decide to visit, don’t forget to bring a cooler with ice packs. Even if you don’t think you’ll need it, you never know when you’ll find the perfect cheese! And you won’t want to cut your day trip short to get all that delicious local food into your fridge. Be sure to bring a basket and/or reusable bags for your purchases.

Chat with a farmer or two

This is one of the best parts of visiting a farmers market! Don’t be afraid to ask questions – vendors are happy to share the stories behind their products – their favorite ways to use the vegetable you may not be super familiar with, the cider that pairs best with their cheese, which of their tomato varieties are best for making salsa…it’s a great opportunity to learn and taste something new!

Enjoy the flavors of the market

Enjoy breakfast sandwiches freshly made with local bacon, a fresh egg and Vermont cheese or baked goods filled with seasonal fruit. And for lunch, tuck into a plate of freshly  steamed dumplings, grass fed beef burger or tacos with fragrant corn tortillas and fresh salsa.  Don’t leave the fun without having a taste of the market.

Find out what else is happening in the area

Check out DigInVT events calendar and coordinate your farmers market trip with a fun food and farm related event. You can also follow one of the Trails on our site, or make your own! It will even populate a Google Map for easy navigating. There are so many things to do.

• Grab a beer at a Vermont brewery,
• Stop by a farmstand and pick-your-own berries,
• Find a spot for dinner,
• and so much more!

On each DigInVT farmers market profile, scroll down and see the nearby places, because you may just find something else you won’t want to miss. For example, if you’re visiting the Waitsfield Farmers Market, you will also want to check out the nearby Mad River Taste Place.

Check to see which forms of payment are accepted

These days, most farmers markets accept debit/credit cards, Farm to Family, Crop Cash, and EBT/SNAP. But it’s always best to check so there are no surprises. As always, we recommend checking the farmers market’s website or social media for the most recent information prior to visiting.

Visit a Vermont farmers market.

 

Vermont Fresh Network

The Vermont Fresh Network is an online portal and event guide connecting travelers with authentic food and farm experiences in Vermont, from farm stays and tours to farmers markets, foodie experiences, and pick-your-own orchards.