These are some of the most popular items, whether buying directly from local farmers or shopping at a nearby market. Whether you’re a home chef who wants to stock up on fresh produce or just an average person who likes to try new things, many different products stand out as particularly special. Many grocery stores have started carrying more locally grown produce, even if you don’t live near a farmers market. If you’re interested in learning more about where the food you buy comes from and where it can help your body the most, check out this list for some great ideas about what to purchase next time you visit a market.

Eggs

Eggs are a great source of protein; they’re affordable, easy to cook, and delicious. While you can buy eggs at almost any grocery store, it’s important to know the source to ensure you’re getting the best quality. Farm-fresh eggs come from chickens raised in clean, humane conditions and fed a nutritious diet. When buying eggs, look for words like Pasture Raised and Organic to ensure you get the best quality eggs available. These eggs contain significantly more Vitamin E, A, and B-12 than conventionally raised eggs.

Grass-Fed Meat

If you love meat, you should find a farmer’s market where you can buy grass-fed meat. Meat from pasture-raised livestock is higher in Vitamin E, C, and CLA, a fatty acid linked to reduced cancer risk. When you buy grass-fed, you’re getting a product that’s not only healthier but also more ethically sourced. Animals that are grass-fed are allowed to roam freely, eat what nature intended, and are not treated with antibiotics or hormones.

Dark Leafy Green Vegetables

Dark leafy greens are a nutritional powerhouse. These greens are a great addition to almost any diet and are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Eating greens most of the time makes for a balanced diet, and it’s also proven to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. When you buy greens from a farmers market, you can be sure you’re getting the highest quality. Plus, greens bought at a farmer’s market are likely cheaper than those bought at a grocery store.

Berries

You can’t go wrong with fresh berries! These little fruits are rich in antioxidants and are delicious when on top of either yogurt or oatmeal. You can find berries at most grocery stores, but if you want the best quality, look for a farmer’s market that sells local produce. Because berries aren’t harvested year-round, most berries at grocery stores come from places like Chile and Argentina, where they’re often sprayed with pesticides.

Nuts & seeds

Nuts and seeds are often loaded with protein, vitamins, and minerals. Plus, they’re easy to bring with you on the go, which makes them an ideal snack for busy people. While you can buy nuts at the grocery store, knowing the source is important to ensure you’re getting the highest quality. While most nuts sold at grocery stores are fine, buying them at a farmers market allows you to choose a specific variety grown in your area.

Beans & legumes

Beans and legumes are great sources of protein and fiber that are super easy to make. When you buy these products at a farmers market, you can be sure you’re getting the highest quality. When you buy locally-grown beans and legumes, you can be sure that you’re getting fresh and organic produce that’s not treated with pesticides. Beans and legumes are also easy to store, so you can stock them when you need a healthy protein source.

Fresh Fish & Seafood

Fish is a fantastic protein source and a great way to get Omega-3s into your diet. While you can buy fish at many grocery stores, buying fish at a farmer’s market is the best way to ensure its quality. When you buy fresh fish from a farmer’s market, you can be sure it was caught ethically and sustainably. You can also ask the fishmonger how it was caught and what type it is. When buying seafood at a farmer’s market, it’s important to ask where it comes from. Any fish sold as “wild” is sustainably caught in the US.

Conclusion

Eating local and seasonal produce is the best way to get the most nutrients and vitamins out of your diet while also reducing your carbon footprint. When you buy produce at a farmer’s market, you can be sure that it’s been grown sustainably with no pesticides. You also support the local economy when you buy at a farmer’s market. Plus, it’s a great way to meet the people behind your food and learn about sustainable farming methods. If you love getting your produce from a farmer’s market but don’t know where to start, don’t worry. Visit this page to find a farmers market near you and learn more about what products they offer.