Almont Farmers Market Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about
the Almont Farmers Market

I've never been to a Farmers' Market before. What do I
need to bring?
You don't really need to bring anything other than yourself. But
here are a few suggestions that may make your visit more
pleasant. There are no shopping carts, so it's a good idea to
bring a large bag or basket to hold your purchases. Lots of
people like to bring their kids' wagons to market--small wagons
(or empty strollers) make it much more comfortable to shop.
And of course you should wear comfortable, practical shoes.

Can I bring my dog to the market?
Sorry but we do not allow dogs at the market. Most farmers
enjoy dogs--it's kind of a farmer thing--but not everyone who
visits the market likes dogs. So please leave the pooches at
home.

But they may be most interested in the many new sights,
sounds, and smells of the market itself--a world apart from the
grocery store.

The market provides a great education on food for children;
they will be able to meet the farmers who grew their food,
taste-test new foods and discover that all lettuces (or
tomatoes or apples) are not the same. The market is also a
great way for children to learn about growing and eating with
the seasons like their grandparents and great-grandparents
did. They will discover that all food is not in season every week
of the year, and locally grown food eaten in its season tastes
better and is more nutritious (just have them compare a
grocery store tomato in May to a farmers' market tomato in
July)! Also, locally grown food is better for the environment: it
preserves local farmland, and much less pollution is produced
getting it to their plate than food shipped from thousands of
miles away.

Incidentally, the market is just a short walk from Almont's
downtown park, so on nice Saturday mornings, you might want
to walk or bike to the park with the family, and after a little
play time, you can come on down to the market (or vice
versa).

What is there to DO at the Almont Farmers Market?
There are lots of things to do at the market. In the spring, the
market is open for a few weeks around planting time, when you
can get the most tender lettuce, give swiss chard another
chance, and get plants--and great planting advice--for your
yard and garden. In the summer, enjoy freshly picked berries,
try an heirloom tomato, find early sweet corn, and taste-test a
hot pepper. In the fall, eat a crisp apple, enjoy some cider, and
pick up some pumpkins, squashes, and gourds. You can always
find organic produce and bulk produce, and meet the people
who grew your food. Shake a farmer's hand. Pick up a gift for
someone you love (and get something special for yourself,
too). Indulge your sweet tooth. Have a picnic. Run into old
friends. Make new friends.

I like the idea of eating more fresh and healthful food, but
I (and my kids) already have trouble eating our five
servings a day of fruits and vegetables. Can you help?
We can certainly try! Many growers will be happy to provide
you with advice and recipes for preparing their fruits and
vegetables quickly and easily. And there are many great online
sources for recipes that use the food you find at farmers
markets; check out our links section to find some of them.

You will discover that fruit and vegetables from the farmers
market just taste better than those at most grocery stores.
There are a few good reasons for this: First, market farmers
often pick their produce only a few hours before you purchase
it, so it is truly ripe (not ripened with chemicals, like much of
the produce available at grocery stores). Secondly, the fruits,
vegetables, and even cut flowers and fresh herbs sold at
grocery stores must be able to hold up well as they are
shipped over hundreds or thousands of miles, and loaded and
unloaded several times.

The varieties of produce grown for sale at grocery stores,
then, are varieties which hold onto their good looks, despite
their rough ride and old age. Taste is much less important than
appearance in a grocery store. In contrast, fruits, vegetables,
and herbs offered at the farmers market are selected by the
farmer for their superior taste (and flowers, for their delicacy),
rather than their shipping abilities. Put simply, you will enjoy
your five-a-day servings of farmers' market fruits and
vegetables because they taste good--just like they're
supposed to!