What to ask, what to skip, and why the busiest stall is not always the best.
Best time
Early, or the last hour
Bring
Bags and some cash
Difficulty
Easy
Ask
What’s good this week
A good market can be overwhelming the first few times. A few habits make it easier to find what’s best that day, and to come home with things you’ll actually use.
Walk the whole market firstLook before you buy. You’ll see who has what, what prices look like, and which produce is everywhere this week, which is usually what’s in season.
Go early for choice, late for bargainsThe best of everything goes first. In the last hour some sellers would rather sell cheaper than pack it all up again.
Ask questionsWhere it was grown, when it was picked, how they’d cook it. People who grow or make what they sell usually like being asked.
Taste when you’re offeredEspecially fruit, cheese and bread. It’s the quickest way to tell stalls apart.
The busiest stall isn’t always the bestA queue can mean good produce, or just a good spot near the entrance. Try a quieter stall too.
Buy for the next few daysFresh produce doesn’t last as long as supermarket stock. Plan two or three meals around what you buy.
Bring bags and some cashMany stalls take cards now, but not all of them, and signal can be patchy.
