What should I bring to a farmers market?
Cash and reusable bags are the two essentials. Many stalls are cash only or add a surcharge for card machines, and produce is rarely bagged for you. A cool bag helps if you are buying anything chilled.
What time should I arrive?
Go early for the best choice, especially for bread and popular produce that sells out. Arrive near closing and some sellers discount what is left, though the selection is thinner by then.
Is a farmers market more expensive than a supermarket?
Some things cost more and some cost less. You are usually paying for fresher, local produce picked in season and sold by the person who grew it. In season fruit and veg, eggs and seasonal gluts are often competitive; out of season or specialty items cost more.
How do I know what is genuinely local?
Ask the seller where it was grown and when it was picked. Real growers are happy to tell you. Markets vary, so it is worth asking rather than assuming everything on the table was grown nearby.