How To Make the Most of Summer Farmers Markets
July 8, 2025 | Business Storage
Summer farmers markets evoke a simpler era of exchanging goods with neighbors and friends. One of the most delightful aspects of farmers markets is the wonderful variety of products and produce available.
We’re here to share some easy tips to enhance your shopping experience at the farmers market, guide you on which fresh produce to look for, and offer helpful advice on storing your purchases. Plus, we’re excited to provide you with some delicious recipes to make the most of your summer harvest!
Five Tips on How To Shop at a Farmers Market
From practical tips to clever tricks, learn how to shop at the farmers market effectively and enjoy every moment along the way:
- Bring reusable bags and a cooler. If you plan to purchase more than a handful of items, consider bringing reusable bags and a cooler. You can keep the items that need refrigeration cool and prevent your produce from spilling out of your arms.
- Pay cash in small bills. While an increasing number of vendors offer credit card and online payments, paying with cash, especially small bills, streamlines the transaction. It can even save you money, as some vendors give discounts for cash payments!
- Plan your meals ahead of time and create a list. Begin preparing for the upcoming week or two by planning your meals. Take stock of your available ingredients and create a list of fresh produce and treats you can find at the farmers market.
- Know which produce is in season. During summer, berries, melons, tomatoes, and various other produce are in season. Knowing which items are in season means they haven’t traveled far to reach your plate, resulting in fresher and higher-quality produce.
- Shop around. Take a lap—many local farmers grow similar seasonal produce, so there is sure to be plenty around. Plus, some vendors might offer even better prices and quality than others.
Best Summer Farmers Market Produce To Shop For
Farmers Market Veggies, Fruits, and Herbs
Summer is the season when fruits, vegetables, and herbs flourish as bees pollinate the flowers and move on to crops, producing the fruit that will become the food we eat. Here are some of our top choices for herbs, veggies, fruits, and more to keep an eye out for at the farmers market:
- Vegetables. Tomatoes, onions, squash, carrots, peppers, corn, and garlic
- Fruits. Strawberries, blueberries, melons, peaches, plums, and grapes
- Herbs. Mint, basil, thyme, sage, and chives
- Others. Mushrooms, honey, eggs, nuts and seeds, nut butters, and canned goods
Summer Farmers Market Recipes Using Farm Fresh Produce
Garden Tomato Salad
This easy-to-make garden tomato salad is created using just three different veggies and a handful of other ingredients. Ingredients you’ll need include:
- 3 large tomatoes
- 1 large sweet onion
- 1 large cucumber
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon minced chives
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Combine wedged tomatoes, thinly sliced onion wedges, and sliced cucumbers in a large bowl. Whisk together the olive oil, cider vinegar, garlic, basil, chives, and salt for the dressing in a smaller bowl, and drizzle it over the salad. The entire process takes about 15 minutes, and you can serve it immediately!
Cajun Chicken With Peach Salsa
Spice up the evening with a sweet and spicy twist on a classic dish! The Cajun seasoning adds heat to the dish while the peach salsa provides a refreshing contrast, still delivering a punch. Our Cajun chicken with peach salsa recipe takes just under half an hour, making it ideal for weekends or weeknights. Additional ingredients you’ll need include:
- 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs—about 6
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal or 3/4 teaspoon Morton kosher salt, divided
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 ripe peaches, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
- 1 cup cilantro leaves with tender stems
Watermelon Margarita
Bring summer sunshine to you with this refreshing and delicious twist on a classic margarita. Elevate your margarita with frozen watermelon cubes to keep your drink chilled and a salt-rimmed glass to balance the flavors. Savor the juicy watermelon, tangy lime juice, and smooth tequila under the sun in this watermelon margarita after just 20 minutes of prep time!
Other ingredients you’ll need are:
- Watermelon cubes, if desired
- Kosher salt
- 10 to 11 lime wedges
- 3 cups of orange liqueur, such as Triple Sec
- 2 to 3 cups of tequila
- 1 1/2 cups of fresh lime juice
- 1 cup superfine sugar or powdered sugar
- Chopped 5 cups of seedless watermelon, chopped
Climate-Controlled Self Storage for Farmers Market Vendors
Instead of letting your garage fill up with unused items until the next market day, think about the benefits of investing in aclimate-controlled storage unit. This space can securely house your surplus artisan inventory, vibrant booth decorations, and much more, making it an ideal solution for farmers market and festival vendors looking to make the most of their space and maintain their merchandise in premium shape.
Are you selling homemade jellies, jams, and other preserves? Help extend the life of your equipment by storing your canning supplies in your storage unit until you’re ready to craft the next batch. If you’re selling homegrown produce and flowers, store your gardening supplies and tools! These items, which are sensitive to temperature, such as metal, wood, and silicone tools, may be damaged by prolonged exposure to moisture and extreme temperatures.
How To Store Your Farmers Market Booths and Display Materials
There are many materials that need attention after market day, including decorations, folding chairs, and signs. Storing signage is a delicate process—roll, never fold, your signs, especially vinyl banners, to enhance longevity. Place them in their original shipping container or a protective tube, and store them in a cool, dry spot, away from direct sunlight.
If you have a pop-up tent, consult the instructions on how to fold it. If you’ve lost or discarded the instructions, it’s not too difficult to do it yourself. Make sure the tent is completely dry to prevent mildew growth. Loosely fold or roll the tent together and store it in a large mesh bag or an old pillowcase. Keep the poles separate by placing them in their own bag.
Do you have foldable tables and chairs to store, too? Wipe them down with a damp cloth and dry them completely before folding them. Stack foldable tables on top of each other and lay them flat on a tarp or furniture pad, covering the top as well. Do the same with your foldable chairs or prop them up against the wall where there’s no risk of falling.
Store Farmers Market Vendor Supplies With Metro Self Storage
Keep your farmers market gear, inventory, decorations, and vending essentials neatly organized and prepared in one of our climate-controlled storage units. Metro Self Storage proudly offers affordable business storage for hometown farmers, small businesses, and established vendors alike. Our business storage units come in various sizes and have many features to enhance your storage experience.
Find a Metro Self Storage facility near you and rent a climate-controlled storage unit today! Learn how to maximize your storage unit from our storage tips, and explore our blog for more storage advice.
