Chef E's Farmers Market Favorites: What to Ask and Why It Matters
Hey friends — Chef E here. You already know I’m a big believer in clean, vibrant food that comes from the earth and fuels your body with the good stuff. And there’s no better place to find that than your local farmers market. It’s not just about stocking up on juicy tomatoes and pasture-raised eggs (though yes, please!) — it’s about knowing your food and who grows it. And it’s easier than you think to make smart choices when you’re face-to-face with your farmer.
Why This Matters
Labels in grocery stores can be tricky. "Natural," "non-GMO," "organic-ish"... it gets confusing fast. But when you shop your farmers market, you can skip the guesswork and go straight to the source. You get fresher food, more nutrients, and a chance to support local families who care about the soil and the animals. Win-win.
At New Leaf Table, we’re always encouraging you to eat close to the earth. This is one of the most practical (and joyful!) ways to do it.
What to Ask Your Farmer:
Here’s a quick cheat sheet of what I ask at the market:
For Produce:
- "Do you use pesticides or chemical sprays?"
- "Are you certified organic or do you follow organic practices?"
- "What do you use to feed the soil — compost or synthetic fertilizer?"
- "When was this picked?"
A lot of small farms aren’t certified organic (it’s expensive!), but many still use clean and natural practices — they just need you to ask!
For Animal Products:
- "Are your chickens/pigs/cows pasture-raised?"
- "What kind of feed do they eat?"
- "Do you use antibiotics or hormones?"
- "Is your beef grass-fed AND grass-finished?"
- "Do you practice regenerative or biodynamic farming?"
If your farmer lights up talking about how they care for their land and animals — that’s your green flag.
A Few Pro Tips:
- Shop early for best selection (and the best peaches!).
- Bring cash, just in case.
- Reusable produce bags make you a hero for the planet.
- Rotate your stops — each market has hidden gems.
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And don’t forget — we build all of this into New Leaf Table. Our meals are built on clean ingredients, organic where possible, and always focused on sourcing you can trust. We even link every meal to grocery carts from Whole Foods Market and Amazon Fresh, so you can shop smart without thinking twice.
Let’s make this season the one where you get to know your food and the folks behind it.
With joy and juicy heirloom tomatoes,
Chef E 🍅
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