You probably heard all the reasons you should go to the farmers’ market. 

“It allows you to support your local farmer.”

“You can find fresh produce at more affordable prices than the grocery store.”

And my favorite: “Locally-grown foods simply taste better.”

But have you ever gone to the farmers’ market — reusable tote bag and money in tow — and didn’t know where to start? If you want to learn how to pick the freshest produce and save big at the farmers’ market, keep reading.

Buy in bulk. If you see a good deal on beans, peaches or tomatoes, don’t be afraid to buy in bulk. If you’re worried about your produce going bad, the freezer is your friend. Before freezing peaches, cut them up into small pieces.  Thaw them when you’re ready to add them to smoothies or oatmeal. Tomatoes can be made into a sauce you can freeze now and enjoy over pasta later.

Don’t pass by ugly produce. A fruit or vegetable that may be ugly on the outside may be exploding with delicious flavor on the inside. Some “ugly” vegetables are actually heirloom varieties that are more flavorful than their aesthetically perfect counterparts. Vendors also often sell blemished produce at a discount so you can cut down on food waste and save money at the same time.

Make new friends. Establish a relationship with the local farmers at the market. They can not only tell you where the food came from, but can provide tips on how to prepare an unfamiliar fruit or vegetable.

Pick what’s in season. While farmers’ markets include healthy packaged foods like crackers and granola, focus on what’s fresh and in season. This spring, look for strawberries, lettuce, arugula, radishes, carrots and kale. Blueberries, cucumbers, cabbage, tomatoes, green beans, squash and melons are at peak harvest in summer.

If you are ready to put your new found skills to good use, then head over to your local farmer’s market. The Cotton Mill Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon, rain or shine, year-round. The farmers’ market is located at 609 Dixie Street, just north of Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton next to the Keep Carroll Beautiful office.

All of the vendors offer locally grown and made foods, produce and products. The Cotton Mill market accepts EBT/SNAP benefits and doubles their value. The market also includes Get Healthy, Live Well's Power of Produce (POP) Club for kids.

Bowdon Area United Christian Ministries (BAUCM), in partnership with Get Healthy, Live Well, is hosting a First Friday Pop-Up Market. The market will be held on the first Friday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. at the BAUCM Service Center, 190 Grammar School Road in Bowdon. The last day of the market will be Oct. 5. 

Fruits and vegetables will be available on a “pay what you can” basis. The market’s motto is, “Take what you want. Pay what you can. Eat what you take.”  

Volunteers from Get Healthy, Live Well will also be providing cooking demonstrations and recipe handouts. 

For more information about local markets, visit GetHealthyLiveWell.org. To have health-related news and tips delivered to your email inbox each month, subscribe to our customizable Get Healthy, Live Well newsletter at tanner.privatehealthnews.com.