Farmers Markets

Well, it's that time of year again.  Even though I personally do not enjoy summer because it is too hot, the season is great for one thing-fresh produce and farmers markets!



Does anyone else frequent these wonderful places for fresh fruits and vegetables?  What kinds of awesome deals have you found there?  It is amazing how much of a bargain you can get when compared to traditional grocery stores.



I myself have been going to the Minneapolis Farmers Market nearby for a long time now and here is some of what I've found in just the last couple of weeks:



Blueberries-a 21 oz batch for only $2 (or 3 for $5).  A 6 oz container at the grocery store costs $4 when it's not on sale.  This means I got an astounishing $14 of store-bought blueberries for only $2-a savings of seven times over!  And, they were excellent blueberries too-all were great and not one single bad one in the batch.



A 24 oz (that is 1 1/2 POUNDS) batch of green beans for only $1!



A 32 oz batch of brocolli florets for only $1-that is two pounds, or only $.50/lb.  Take that, stores!



Raspberries & blackberries for only $1 per 6oz container (or 6 for $5).  These are the exact same berries you see for $4 at the grocery store!



Bell peppers (red, yellow, orange)-a tray of 4 or 5 (depending on size) for $2.50.  These things cost $2 EACH at the store when they're not on sale!



A pound of portabella mushrooms for just $2.50.  Anyone who sees and gets them at the grocery store knows what an expensive rip-off they are over there.  The price of these is far less than even the common white button mushrooms are at the store.



How about getting a tray of three red mangos or 4-5 yellow ones that cost $1.49 each at the store for only $1.66 (3 trays for $5)?



And, of course, I wouldn't forget about that whole seedless watermelon I got for only $2.



I could keep going on and on, but those are some of the best ones.  Of course, there are always those new things you've never heard of before (like Dragon Fruit, for instance).



What are your stories?  Anyone else go to one on a regular basis?

Comments

  • I rarely go. I did get some ghost pepper beef jerky and trinidad scorpion pepper seasoning, though. That shit was delicious. The jerky, while great, was like $8 for 8oz or something. Actually, I did buy a handful of ghost peppers for less than a $1 as well so that wasn't bad.
  • Dragon Fruit is fun...and wow that mushroom deal is awesome. I use those a lot, so that would be a huge money saver.
  • My mom loves them, but I do not. The last time I went to one with the intent to purchase something was 2013. There was a man who sold grass-fed beef, though—going by his prices—that grass must have been the lawn of the Château de Versailles. The most reasonable thing I could find among his wares was a small sirloin—which he was selling for $9!



    Since there was a Mexican restaurant down the block where I could have a steak about the same size—with fries, none the less—for just a dollar more (plus tax) and would also receive the luxury of having it cooked for me, then served to me while I enjoyed free chips and salsa, I passed.
  • Always enjoy browsing the ripe melons I find at the farmers market. Boy a boy nothing makes my mouth water like some NICE BIG JUICEY MELONS!
  • lol this thread is really funny to me for some reason
  • Op reads like a radio script for a local grocery stores back in the day.



    I've honestly never been to one as there are so many gardens around where I live and my parents love that im given a lot of vegetables during the seasons especially tomatoes and at times green beans, squash, corn, cucumbers, and various peppers.
  • Me and the fiance go apple, berry (strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries), pear, and pumpkin picking every year. Aside from that, not really as it's generally more expensive and sort of out of the way from where I live.
  • Originally posted by: JaxsBox



    Always enjoy browsing the ripe melons I find at the farmers market. Boy a boy nothing makes my mouth water like some NICE BIG JUICEY MELONS!





    If you love melons that much, as I do, may I suggest a few other melon varieties to try that you may not have heard of before:  canary melons, santa clause melons, orange flesh melons (these ones are especially good if you like cantaloupe).  I've discovered them earlier this year, and they are all very good, nice and juicy.
  • We have one around here that runs every Wednesday, get some good friggen pepperonis there.
  • Originally posted by: TheToxieRules



    We have one around here that runs every Wednesday, get some good friggen pepperonis there.



    what kind of an idiot would lose a fresh pack of smokes, a lighter, and a big fucking piece of pepperoni?

     
  • Originally posted by: barrelsAndRivets

     
    Originally posted by: TheToxieRules



    We have one around here that runs every Wednesday, get some good friggen pepperonis there.



    what kind of an idiot would lose a fresh pack of smokes, a lighter, and a big fucking piece of pepperoni?

     



    "Who's fuckin with me?!!?!"

     
  • There's a flea market on Sundays that is really good for veggies and the local Amish have good deals, the only farmer's market we have is for wholesalers in the area.
  • I guess I could clarify that there is a large price range from market to market and even among multiple vendors in the same market. I've been to different farmers markets, and agree that some of them can be more expensive than others. When going to a larger one, it is good to look at what all the vendors have to offer to get an idea on how much things cost. For example, last week, I mentioned I got a whole seedless watermelon for $2. That was the best price I found. Another vendor was selling the same melons for $4 each (or 2/$7).



    You folks living in CA make me a bit jealous. California has some of the best farmers markets around, thanks to its enormous fruit and vegetable industry. I particularly remember the one in Los Angeles being huge. I'm sure there are many things there that not even I have ever heard of or seen before.
  • They are ok in the bay area, because so much stuff rolls in from the coast (and valley)
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