Know how Know now 1 Know how Know

Know how. Know now. 1

Know how. Know now. 2 5/2007, updated slightly 5/2008, created with Power. Point 2003 ● This is a peer-reviewed publication

Get the most from your local Farmers’ Market with these tips… 3

• FYI Facts • Food & Nutrition • Food Safety • Friendly Advice • For More Information 4

Facts The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates over 1, 000 people visit a Farmers’ Market weekly! 5

Facts The average supermarket produce travels about 2, 000 miles to its destination, compared to 50 miles for Farmers’ Market produce! That’s like traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles! 6

Facts More than 20, 000 farmers use Farmers’ Markets to sell to consumers. 7

Farmers’ Markets make $ense! 8 Great prices on fresh produce and garden goodies for everyone!

Farmers’ Markets make $ense! 9 Fresh herbs often are available at very reasonable prices.

Farmers’ Markets make $ense! 10 Home-baked goodies may be another bargain and a special treat!

Farmers’ Markets make $ense! 11 Locally raised meat may be available at some markets.

Farmers’ Markets make $ense! 12 Take home some fresh cut flowers!

Farmers’ Markets make $ense! Some USDA programs offer food vouchers for qualified participants in participating states: – Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) – Women, Infant, and Children Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (WIC) 13

Snacks on the go • Fresh fruit • Soy nuts and dried fruits • 100% tomato, cranberry, or orange juice • Fresh broccoli or cauliflower with dip 14

• FYI Facts • Food & Nutrition • Food Safety • Friendly Advice • For More Information 15

16 Look for produce that is free from unusual odors or colors and signs of spoilage such as mold.

Handle produce gently to reduce bruising. Bacteria can thrive in the bruised areas. 17

Go HOME from the market! Avoid side trips. Foods will decline in quality and perishable foods like meats and eggs can pose food safety problems if left sitting in your car. 18

Different fruits and vegetables require different temperature and humidity levels for proper storage. 19

Some foods that taste best stored at room temperature include: • Bananas • Melons • Onions • Potatoes • Sweet potatoes • Tomatoes • Winter squashes Store in a clean, dry, well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight and away from areas where meat, fish, and poultry are prepared. 20

Other produce can be ripened on the counter and then stored in the refrigerator. Examples include: • Avocados • Kiwifruit • Nectarines • Peaches • Pears • Plums 21

Avoid placing produce in a sealed plastic bag on your countertop. This slows ripening and may increase off-odors and decay from the accumulation of carbon dioxide and depletion of oxygen inside the bag. 22

Most other fresh fruits and vegetables keep best stored in a clean refrigerator at a temperature of 40° F or below. Use your refrigerator crisper drawer for whole produce. 23

Store fruits in a separate refrigerator crisper drawer from vegetables. • Fruits give off ethylene gas which can shorten the storage life of vegetables. • Some vegetables give off odors that can be absorbed by fruits and affect their quality. 24

Refrigerate fruits and vegetables in perforated plastic bags to help maintain moisture yet provide air flow. Unperforated plastic bags can lead to the growth of mold or bacteria. If you don’t have access to commercial, food-grade, perforated bags, use a sharp object to make several small holes in a food-grade plastic bag (about 20 holes per medium-size bag). 25

If fruits and vegetables are placed on refrigerator shelves, store meats on pans or plates below the produce to prevent meat juices — which may contain harmful bacteria — from dripping on them. 26

Wash hands properly before handling produce. • Wet hands with clean, warm water. • Apply soap and work into a lather. • Rub hands together for 20 seconds; rinse under clean, running water. • Dry hands with disposable paper towel or clean cloth towel. 27

Wash produce thoroughly 1. Wash produce before you use it, NOT when you bring it home! Fresh produce has a natural protective coating that helps keep in moisture and freshness. Washing produce before storage causes it to spoil faster. 28

2. Remove and discard outer leaves. 3. Rinse under clean, running water just before preparing or eating. Don’t use soap or detergent as it can get into produce and make you sick. 29

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Bacteria on the outside of produce can be transferred to the inside when they are cut or peeled. Rinse produce even when the peel is removed ― such as for melons and citrus fruits! 31

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• FYI Facts • Food & Nutrition • Food Safety • Friendly Advice • For More Information 33

Enjoy picking your produce at the local Farmers’ Market! 34

Take your time! Farmers’ Markets are a great place to shop and to get some exercise! Enjoy walking around the market! Have fun looking at all the produce and goodies! 35

Got kids or grandkids? Take them along! Many kids have never seen or tried some of the foods at Farmers’ Markets. Let them see. . . 36

. . . carrots with their tops 37

. . . zucchinis with blossoms 38

. . . cauliflower surrounded by a cocoon of leaves 39

Bring some cash or money saving coupons! 40 Vendors may not accept checks or credit cards in some areas.

• Take your own canvas or net bags or baskets, as Farmers’ Markets don’t usually have shopping carts! • Wide woven baskets help prevent produce from piling on each other. • Place heavier items at the bottom of the basket or bag. • To avoid squishing your produce, consider shopping with several bags or baskets. 41

Dress comfortably! • Weather can change fast! • Wear comfortable shoes if you have to walk a lot. • Keep a jacket and umbrella in the car in case of wet weather. 42

Go early! On warm days, the quality of unrefrigerated fruits and vegetables can decline from morning to afternoon. However, you might get a great deal at the end of the day! Growers often only bring a few pounds of produce and the best bunches goes first! 43

Experiment! Be flexible. Wait and see what’s best at the market! You might get a new tasty treat for your menus! 44

Ask questions! • Learn about new and old favorites, how to prepare them and when they are ripe. • Most farmers and vendors love to share what they know and may be able to give you cooking and recipe hints. 45

Check it all out! • See who has what and at what price. • Buy something you haven’t tried before! • Ask the grower ways to select and prepare your produce. 46

Try not to over-buy • Aim to buy foods you’ll eat now when they are fresh. • Select an amount you can use within a short time, especially, if you won’t need it right away. 47