Warning – Reading This Will Make You Hungry
Did you know that guacamole was first created by the Aztecs during the 16th century? But you may be wondering, what is guacamole? Guacamole is an avocado-based dip that has become popular in both Mexican and American cuisine, which makes it a versatile condiment. There are two common types of fresh guacamole dips available, and both are beneficial in a variety of ways.
1. Classic guacamole dip. The main ingredient in classic guacamole recipes is avocado. The avocado is mashed and mixed with several other ingredients, such as tomato, onion, and lime juice, in order to give it its distinct flavor. Classic guacamole is a relatively thick condiment that is not only eaten as a dip, but is also included in some salads, as well. As a result, guacamole is a multipurpose condiment that adds new flavor to a v Continue Reading
10 Reasons to Support Farmers Markets
Farmers are the producers of good food and they are the people who take serious note of your health and wealth. Inevitably, there are plenty of reasons to support them but we bring 10 main reasons to rub their shoulders.
1.Taste Real Flavors:
Farmers bring tasty, fresh and delicious fruits right after their cultivation. There is no cost charged for shipping, cleaning, and packing. All the foods being purchased from farmers markets are fresh and health friendly.
2.Enjoy the Season:
Farmers markets are not like super markets from where stored or frozen food is generally purchased. Farmers cannot sell unseasoned vegetables and fruits. They always bring those groceries that have been freshly produced. Hence, you can enjoy seasoned foods from the farmers markets.
3.Support Family Farmers:
In this era of inflation, it is necessary to help the families of farmers by directly purchasing foods from their markets. It has been researched that the ratio of farmer’s sale is quite low in the United States and most of the people waste their money in super markets by purchasing the costly and unhealthy groceries. Hence, always support farmers through direct or indirect shopping.
4.Protect the Environment:
As you know our environment is full with chemicals and dangerous gases, we always take polluted foods from those super markets that transport the items from more than 40 miles. In farmers markets there are very rare chances of chemical contamination due to short traveling distance.
5.Nourish Yourself:
It has been recommended that those foods which are sold in super markets are not nourishing. Actually, most of the shop owners use different chemicals, pests, genetic modifications, and hormones to increase their profits and sale duration. On the other hand, all the foods in farmers markets are fresh and healthy. And, they are not subjected to any modification.
6.Discover the Spice of Life: Variety
The variety you see in the farmers markets can hardly be found in super markets. The variety includes stinging nettles, green garlic, red carrots, a rainbow of heirloom tomatoes, purple cauliflower, watermelon radishes, , maitake mushrooms ,quail eggs, and much more.
7.Promote Humane Treatment of Animals:
The animal farming can only be found in the farmers markets. They bring all naturally laid eggs, meat, cheese and milk. They do not mix any chemical or use injections to get more and more production.
8.Know Where Your Food Comes From:
In super markets you do not come in interaction with the shop owners. You shop like robots and do not know from where your foods come. On the other hand, when you shop from farmers markets, you are informed about the seasoned products and learn how the foods are grown. This helps you to understand the basics of agricultural economy.
9.Learn Cooking Tips, Recipes, and Meal Ideas:
Most of the grocery store owners do not know about cooking and recipes. They may not be able to address your basic queries of certain foods. But, in the farmers markets, you interact with those people who are not only sellers but also good chefs. This offers you a good opportunity to learn different piece of advices while shopping.
10.Connect with Your Community:
Shopping from the farmers markets offers you the opportunity to interact with your friends, family members, relatives and colleagues. It is the best way to develop strong relationships during the course of shopping. Besides, if you are consistent shopper of a farmer, he would give you different discounts on different foods.
Top U.S. Farmers Markets Every Food Lover Should Visit
It has been noticed that food enthusiasts, chefs and house wives always run here and there to find a good farmer market place for purchasing some fresh foods. No doubt, most of the people prefer to visit local farmers to meet with their requirements but all the local farmers do not offer the same quality of services that is generally offered in big farmer markets.
If you are looking for some cheap, fresh and good foods then try to visit the following great farmers markets of United States:
- Santa Fe Farmers Market
- Des Moines Farmers Market
- Minneapolis Farmers Market
- Portland Farmers Market
- Union Square Greenmarket
- Dane County Farmers Market
- Crescent City Farmers Market
- Green City Market
- Hilo Farmers Market
- How to Shop at a Farmer’s Market
All of the above mentioned farmers markets are supposed to be worth visiting for all kinds of foods. And the thing distinguishes these markets from others is that there is no shortage of vendors, quality of foods, and services. Hence, for purchasing fresh and healthy fruits, always prefer above mentioned markets.
The Crisper Whisperer: 10 Tips to Take to the Farmers’ Market
Do you easily purchase bunch of beets from farmer’s market? Do you have experience in this purchasing power? Have you ever investigated what you purchase and what is the worth of food? Do you know the food item you purchase is seasoned or unseasoned? Would it be beneficial for you?
Here are some farmer’s market tips for you:
1.Don’t be shy:
It is not hidden from anyone that we are great fans of our local farmers. When you visit a farmer ask him about the food you do not know about. This would help you to understand what are the pros and cons of the foods you wish to purchase and how they can be beneficial. You should also inquire that whether the selected item is coming in the season or it is off the season. Make this practice as a part of your learning habit and once you develop this practice, you would easily save your time and money while purchasing a certain food.
2.Find out why it’s not certified organic:
It must be in your mind that if a produce is not labeled as organic does not mean that it is a dirty produce. Most of the farmers do not afford the USDA certification but still they use organic practices. To get the produce verified, try to find hidden source of organically farmed food and show it to the farmer that how his food was grown.
3.Bring your own bag, and maybe a cooler:
If you wish to not spoil the food you purchase then must carry a big with yourself when you visit a farmer’s market. It is a good gesture of goodwill toward the farmers and the small plastics bags being sold in the markets are not suffice for the food. Similarly, if your market is selling milk, eggs, fish, and cheese then bring a cooler with yourself.
4.Shop early for selection, shop late (or in bad weather) for deals:
If you are looking to buy something fresh and healthy then you have to wake up very early. Actually most of the fresh foods are purchased within the first few hours of the market opening and if you wish to buy a fresh seasoned food then visit the market just after its opening. Besides, if you cannot visit in the morning then go to market in late hours. In the evening most of the farmers offers good discounts to shoppers and this is the right time for you to get a bunch of food items on reasonable and fare rates.
5.Bring small bills:
Most of the farmers deal in cash in the markets. It would be better if you bring small bills to avoid any inconvenience.
6.Buy the uggos:
Ugly duckling will help you to get low costs on what you purchase. Though, a big majority of shoppers used to buy painted supermarket fruits bred for their uniform looks but oddest looking varieties could be best testing and cheap.
7.Buy in quantity:
If you wish to get some discounts then buy in bulk quantity. Certainly, if you buy 1 kg of Tomato from the farmer, he will not give you some discounts but when you buy 5 pounds of tomato he will surely give some discount.
8.Shop around:
Shopping around is a good habit. If you happen to encounter that several farmers sell the same product in the same row then do not hesitate to compare prices and quality of the foods.
9.Try something new each week:
Are you bored to eat same foods every week? Try something new this time. It is better to experience with new things rather than confining to certain limit of choices.
10.Check Rate List:
Most of the farmers place list before their shops. Hence, prior to beginning with shopping, must check the rate of all items.
8 Tips for Beginner Farmers’ Market Vendors
If you are new farmer vendor and intending to flourish in this business then adopt the following business minded tips.
1. Do Market Research:
Market research is the key to success. Prior to launching your foods, visit different markets and see the demand and supply of the certain product. In simple words, you would visit the markets as a secret shopper and try to identify the ratio of purchasing power, quality of available foods, rates fluctuations, quality of services, start up cost etc.
2. Learn Farmers’-Market Rules:
Ask questions from the market managers about the rules and regulations of the market. You should inquire the same questions from the senior farmers of the marker you are wishing to sell at. Take for the example, there are few markets that have set some regulations for those sellers who produce the food by themselves and outsides and brokers are not allowed to run a shop.
3. Start Small:
Prior to investing your money in this business, try to find space in a market. Once the space is leased or sanctioned, ask old sellers about the tent and other expenses. It would be better if you begin from small shop rather than starting with huge investment.
4. Identify Your Niche:
When you research the market before starting with this business, try to see which products are not available in the market. If you think Garlic or any other product has good demand in the market, go with that product and come up with some different varieties. It would be much better if you sell green tomato along with your recipe to attract more buyers.
5. Design Your Stand:
It is said that those sellers attract the buyers who lace their stands with different tablecloths and other attractive things. Try to design your stand better, attractive, and touchy.
6. Get Organized:
Before you make a decision of opening a farmer shop, get yourself organized first. Make a good planning of transportation, shifting, placement, dressing, and time schedules. Experts say that those farmers earn good profits that come to markets very early and complete their other jobs before the opening time of the market.
7. Be Personally Prepared:
If you are thinking to sale in the early morning, try to complete your sleeping. It is also suggested that bring water, snacks and other things with yourself when you go to the market. Hence, make you prepared well for all things of the business day.
8. Build Relationships:
Try to be proactive with all your buyers. Make relationships with them and give them your business cards or social media ids for better understanding. This is the way to establish smooth relationship with the buyers.