Last week, people filled The Moxie in Springfield, MO to see the new film Food, Inc. People were so moved by the shocking truths revealed in the documentary they are now seeking sources of safe food to feed their families.

I received a number of calls and e-mails asking where they could purchase organically grown produce, grass fed beef, free range chicken, fresh eggs, etc.

The answer is at your local farmers market!

I told the people how we are vendors at several area farmers markets with our wares (locally produced wind turbines, solar systems & certified organic products for the lawn & garden) and we do a good part of our grocery shopping at these markets while we are there.

A question arose from several of the callers that I did not anticipate. “How, exactly, does one shop at a farmers market?” These fine folks had never been to a farmers market and had no idea how the whole adventure works. They are accustomed to shopping at the ubiquitous big box store and do not know how to go about doing business with local producers.

Since I know that for every person who asks the question, there are ten who are wondering in the background, here is how exactly to do business at a farmers market.

1. Find a farmers market. Farmers markets come in all shapes and sizes from four vendors to over 100 vendors and vary from one time to the next as you will see some vendors every time and others occasionally. For a list of farmers markets in Missouri visit http://agebb.missouri.edu/fmktdir/index.htm. If you are outside of Missouri, simply Google “farmers market, city, state”.

2. Bring your own basket. Some vendors have recycled plastic shopping bags, but you will be eco-friendlier if you bring your own market basket or tote bags. You will also receive friendlier service as when a vendor sees someone with their own bag or basket, that signals to the vendor the person is a serious shopper.

3. Bring cash. Most vendors only accept cash. Some will take checks and fewer still will accept credit cards. Small bills are most appreciated. While every vendor hopes every customer has $100 in their pocket to spend, it is difficult for the vendors to break a hundred and have enough change for their other customers. At the same time, if you only have a large bill in your pocket, the vendor will do all he or she can to make change for you.

4. Talk with the vendors and ask questions. Do ask about the vendor’s merchandise. Ask how it may be used or prepared. Ask how long it keeps fresh. If it is a quiet market, feel free to engage the vendor in conversation. At the same time, please remember the farmers market is the vendor’s temporary store and as such please allow the vendor to conduct transactions with other customers.

5. If you are shopping for produce it is perfectly appropriate to ask if the vendor grew it themselves (some do, some don’t). Also ask how it was grown (fertilizing methods, pest control products). You will seldom, if ever, find a farmers market vendor with certified organic produce. This is because the certification itself costs over $5000. That does not mean it was not organically grown – that is why you may ask about fertilizers and pest controls. Your sensitivities may be different than mine and as such different than the grower. Personally, I prefer my produce to be fertilized and pest controlled with vegan methods (no animal fertilizers or chemicals). Please do not try to “educate” the vendor by telling them how to grow their crops. It is not the time or the place. Simply tell the vendor “Thank you” and move on to the next vendor. If enough people vote with their pocketbooks, there will be more organically grown produce to choose from in the future.

6. Yes, you will even find vendors with meat, eggs & even raw milk at a farmers market. Again, talk with the vendors and make the right choices for you and your family.

7. Back to money, please bring enough cash with you as if you were grocery shopping (because you are). Some grocery trips are only a few dollars and others are a couple of hundred. Please plan accordingly as vendors hear every time at least one person who says “Oh, I want this, but I already spent all of my cash. Will you be here next time?”

8. Beyond money is price and value. You will be pleasantly surprised by the more than reasonable price of most farmers market products. Just last Thursday evening at the Ozark Farmers Market, I purchased a very large bag of veggies for only $7! This was from a grower who uses vegan practices – delicious! Think about how much you pay per pound for green beans that have been trucked an average of 1500 miles to your local big box grocery and you will see the value in the green beans that were lovingly picked that very day for you!

9. What else can you find at a farmers market? Coffee, fruit, produce, plants, kitchen items, breads, gift items, baked goods, baby farm animals, music, eco-products….pretty much anything! You never know what you will find, so keep an open mind and a flexible menu plan!

10. Above all else, remember by supporting your local farmers market, you are not only putting good food on your family’s table, you are also helping our local economy.