Things you might not know about farmers markets

Farmers markets are open for business across metro Detroit

DETROIT – It's that time of year where plants are sprouting and crops are producing fruit. If you appreciate fresh produce but don't have a green thumb, skip the grocery store aisle and stop by your local farmers market.

From the spring months to fall time, farmers markets are open for business all across metro Detroit. If you aren't doing at least some shopping there, there's a lot you could be missing out on.

"Different vendors are going to have different things that they grow in different ways, so it's nice to get a feel for that," said registered dietician Julie Feldman.

Local 4 met with Feldman at a farmers market in Walled Lake. She shared the four things you might not know about farmers markets.

You often see foods labeled "fresh" at your local grocery store, but it doesn't get any fresher than your neighborhood farmers market.

"This type of produce actually has a longer shelf life than something that has been picked weeks ago, shipped by a train or truck from miles and miles and often even on a plane from different countries," said Feldman.

We're not just talking fruits and veggies. You can even get things like fresh honey, but it does come with a warning.

"Honey usually at a place like this is unpasteurized, so you need to be careful from a food safety point of view," Feldman said. "If you have small children or you're pregnant, that's not something I would recommend."

If you thought your local farmer's market might cost you more? Think again.

"The prices here are really friendly, you know, customer friendly," Feldman said. "There's things at every price point. You can get a whole thing of pickles for a dollar. You know, a bushel of kale for a dollar. It's really inexpensive, I find, compared to the prices we're used to paying."

One of the challenges parents face is getting their kids to actually eat their fruits and veggies. Feldman has found letting them get involved or even sample foods at the market makes it easier.

"I love bringing my kids to the farmers market," she said. "It's a great way, probably my favorite way to get them excited about choosing fresh fruits and vegetables. If a child tastes a different color apple that they've never had before and they like it, they're way more likely to come home and choose that at home."

When you're at home, what do you do with all those fruits and veggies? Cook them up in some of the recipe ideas you got from the farmers at the market.

"I was just talking to a vendor who told me a whole recipe on how to make a great vegetarian stew," said Feldman. "I saw produce today that I had never seen before."

There are a lot of farmers markets all over metro Detroit, including Walled Lake, Royal Oak, Northville and Birmingham. In Detroit, there's Eastern Market, which is always very popular every Saturday.