Green Eats

In my previous post I mentioned how I was planning on leveraging some of the good relationships I’ve built with farmers at my local farmers’ market to buy produce in bulk this year. In fact I’ve already had commitments to provide produce ranging from onions to tomatoes. ConsciouslyFrugal asked for tips on how to cultivate better relationships with your local farmers, so I thought I would provide some insight into how I managed to become friends with the people who grow my food.

First let me start by saying that all farmers’ markets are different, with different vendors (obviously) and different dynamics. The market I visit the most is smaller, with only 12-20 vendors at any given time. This is probably the number one reason I have been able to forge such close relationships with some of the farmers. In my area (the Triangle region of North Carolina) we have several nationally recognized farmers’ markets (Carrboro, Durham) that are great, but huge. When I visit these markets I often feel bad monopolizing the farmers’ time, as there is usually a line of people behind me. Another downside of larger markets is that you will often find an intern selling the produce, not the farmer. With that initial stipulation, here are my recommendations:

1. Express an interest in the product. Ask not only how it was grown, but why the farmer chose to grow that particular variety, and what kind of luck they have had with it. I even went out to one farm to watch them process their rabbits and then purchased two at the next market.
2. Show your appreciation. If you love Farmer Joe’s carrots, buy them every week. If you make carrot bread with them, bring Farmer Joe a loaf. Refer friends and have them tell Farmer Joe that you sent them. Let Farmer Joe what you have cooked with his carrots. Most farmers want nothing more than to provide their customers with a great product, and they LOVE feedback.
3. Remember details. Think of your exchange as if you were cultivating a business relationship – if Farmer Ann tells you about her chickens having mites, remember to ask about the chickens the next time you see her. It seems like common sense, but small gestures go miles.
4. Volunteer. This is probably what clinched the friendships for me. I have actually gone and worked at a few of the farms I tend to buy from the most, and that provided me with an instant foot-in-the-door. Give a day or two where you can spare it, especially around spring planting time and the various harvests.

I don’t mean all of this to sound cold and businesslike, as if I manipulated my way into a friendship with these folks – its quite the opposite. I have been lucky enough to establish genuine relationships with a select few farmers that I continue to purchase from very regularly. I show my appreciation for their work with my words, my friendship, and my dollars. I am genuinely interested in what they do and I think it shows.

Don’t be discouraged by packed markets and long lines! Attend smaller weekday markets, drop off notes during busy times rather than waiting around to chat, e-mail farmers and ask if you can arrange an on-farm visit, and volunteer! Persistence will pay off!