Know What’s in Season? Check out the Farmers Market

Fruits and vegetables taste the best when they are ripe and bought in season. Health experts often suggest that you eat seasonally, or include foods in your diet that are grown at the same time of the year you eat them.

Food available at local farmers markets is not just at the peak of freshness but also tasty and nutritious. Here is an availability guide by Foodland Ontario that tells you the best times to get the various fruits and vegetables we relish all year long.

Treat yourself and your family to the best foods this season by buying your food locally. Here are some helpful tips to make your trip to the farmers’ market a good one.

10. Plan out your meals – Make the ingredient list ahead of time so you know what to buy. This makes it easier to find what you need and you won’t forget to pick up that bushel of berries you want for that summer salad.

9. Take a tour – Check out the farmers market to see what’s available. The variety will surprise you and add to the shopping experience.

8. Bring cash – If you’re heading to the market, make sure you bring enough money, preferably smaller bills and coins.

7. Bring your own bags and containers – Come prepared with your own reusable bags for ease of carrying home the freshness. Lugging around produce can be difficult if you don’t have anywhere to put it.

6. Keep a cooler in the trunk – Keep an ice cooler in the car so you can minimise any damage to your freshly purchased fruit and veggies, especially if you plan to make pit stops before returning home.

5. Try samples – Taste before you buy! Some vendors really enjoy providing free samples of their products to try so you may change your mind and buy local produce that wasn’t on your list.

4. Buy the bruised fruit – Consider buying ripe and ready to eat fruit if you plan to consume that day or the next. It will save you some money yet taste good.

3. Bulk is best – Vendors may offer cheaper prices if you buy in bulk. You can save some money for yourself and share with a neighbour or family member.

2. Talk to the vendors – Make a connection and get information about what you are buying. You might learn something new or get some helpful tips.

1. Buy something you’ve never tried before – Be creative with your meals. Try and buy something new and plan a meal with new recipes that your family will savour.

Visit the Farmers Market at Celebration Square from June 1 to October 26 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a selection of products. For more information about the Farmers Market on the Square please visit mississaugacelebrationsquare.ca.

The market is also open at 3 Robert Speck Pkwy on Sundays from June 5 to October 30 between 8 a.m. to 4 pm.