Ripe fruits and vegetables will feel heavy for their size, have deep, even coloring, and will “give” slightly to pressure.

Pass up any bruised and blemished items; also avoid excessively overgrown ones-while they may look impressive, these products will typically have a mushy texture and watered-down flavor.

Check out the entire bin; many fruits and veggies (like peaches, tomatoes, and apples) release ethylene gas as they ripen. Produce past its prime should be removed as soon as possible, to ensure that the surrounding fruits and vegetables are also not affected (hopefully by a conscientious market vendor).

Since practically all of the produce sold in farmers’ markets is locally grown, it’s picked at a riper stage than the produce sold in the supermarket. Therefore, buy only what you will use within the next three days if possible.

Buying Organic

Organic produce abounds at farmers’ markets. But they can be on the pricey side. Is it all worth it?

Here’s some info to help you decide:

Organic food is more expensive for two reasons: 1. These crops are more vulnerable to garden pests, creating a greater risk of loss to farmers. 2. Demand is low.

But with that being said, the rising popularity of organics helps to bring the price down. And buying in season (which you’ll be doing at a farmers’ market) can reduce the cost.

Most organic produce at a farmers’ market will be fresher than the supermarket stuff because organic comes from local farms. But organic markets with a low turnover may be selling you produce that’s days old. So don’t just rely on the term “organic” as an instant indicator of freshness; instead, touch and smell the produce. If it’s fresh, it will “give” to gentle pressure and have a hand-picked aroma.

Organic produce is healthier because they’re grown without pesticides.

Here’s a list of recommended products to buy organic (according to the USDA, these fruits and veggies consistently contain the most pesticide residue):

Apples

Apricots

Bell peppers

Cantaloupe

Celery

Cherries

Cucumbers

Grapes

Green beans

Peaches

Pears

Spinach

And you can save money buying the following non-organic or “as is“:

Bananas

Blueberries

Broccoli

Carrots

Kiwifruit

Nectarines

Oranges

Papaya

Peas

Potatoes

Raspberries

Watermelon

Looking for a farmers’ market near you? Go to ams.usda.gov (Agricultural Marketing Services).