Your Local Farmer’s Market
Visiting your local farmer's market is a great way to support small, local farmers and get your hands on the freshest, most delicious produce around. But beyond just picking up some tasty ingredients, visiting a farmer's market can also be a wonderful opportunity to engage with the people who grow your food and learn more about where it comes from. Here are some tips for making the most of your farmer's market experience:
Waialua Farmer’s Market: Sat. mornings from 8:30 am - 12 noon
Talk to the farmers: Don't be shy! Farmers are generally happy to talk about their produce and how it's grown. Ask them about their methods, what's in season, and what they recommend. You may even pick up some great cooking tips or recipe ideas.
Try something new: Farmer's markets are a great place to discover new and interesting produce that you might not find at your typical grocery store. Don't be afraid to try something new – you might just discover a new favorite! There is a lot of food grown in Hawaii that I wasn’t initially familiar with, and some of my best ideas & recipes have come from the farmers at the market.
Buy some flowers: I love buying flowers at my local farmer’s market. You really can’t beat the selection & freshness. At the Waialua Farmer’s Market, you have got to check out Remi’s stand - she’s the best & she sells gorgeous flowers, avocados, art, & more. Check her out whenever you’re in Waialua, Hawaii.
Buy what's in season: Not only is produce that's in season generally fresher and tastier, it's also usually more affordable. Ask the farmers what's at its peak and plan your meals around those ingredients.
Keep it simple: Local and fresh ingredients often speak for themselves and don't need a lot of fuss to taste great. Rather than loading up on a ton of spices and complicated ingredients, try keeping it simple and letting the natural flavors of the produce shine.
Remi from Hua Orchards, in Waialua Hawaii.
Sunflowers from Remi @ Hua Orchards