Shop Localista: Farmers Market Deals & Steals

When the Center for Public Health and Nutrition released a study a few months back citing that people who shop at stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are not only more educated and affluent but thinner and healthier than those who don't, it placed an elitist spin on eating well in this country.

Buying healthy foods can be pretty expensive, as evidenced by the pricey produce at Whole Foods—or as many call it, Whole Paycheck. Still, the study also affirms plain old-fashioned nutritional common sense; if you can't pronounce the ingredients in—or don't recognize the source of—the food you're eating, chances are it's not that great for you.

Luckily, that's a lesson everyone can afford to learn, or at least attempt to practice, at any price point.

For the past few summers, I've tried to raise our household's "fresh is best" awareness with a raised garden. Unfortunately, the kids prefer picking to planting or weeding, and the money I end up spending on organic pesticides, plants and soil pretty much renders my paltry yield pricier than gold. It makes Whole Foods look like a bargain in comparison.

Good thing the Maplewood Farmers Market is just a short walk away on Springfield Avenue (at Indiana Street), and boasts a number of downright delicious deals on healthy fare.

Here then are six economical, nutritious and simply scrumptious reasons to hit the Famers Market every Monday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. from now until the end of October:

• Surprisingly, you'll find some prices that rival and/or beat the brick and mortar shops. I found gloriously green lettuce for a relatively paltry $1.50 a head and plump local peaches for $1.99/lb.
• Kari's Café has a stand offering iced coffee for $2. Okay, I'm an addict, but the thought of browsing whilst sipping an iced cold cup of happiness with a straw is reason enough to stop by.
• $1 Olive pockets at Hoboken Farms. They don't call these 'World's Best' for nothing. Made in micro-batches, these foccaccia pockets are perfectly packed with black and green olives and sprinkled with baked parmesan cheese. They also sell them as a Baker's Dozen (13 for $12). Heaven!
• Yona's personal-sized quiche and bourekas. Made without butter or cream, these scrumptious little servings only taste sinful. Last week, they were also on sale: quiches were 3 for $5 (normally 3 for $6) and Bourekas were 4 for $5 (normally 5 for $5). Serve them alone for a savory snack or as hors d'ouevres or with a salad for a meal. Yum.
• Pickles from Dr. Pickle. Okay, these aren't inexpensive and they make you retain water, but they're still worth it—they're THAT good! I buy the $7 size, but beg Julio to stuff the container fuller than humanly possible and he is kind enough to oblige.
• Good, good and do-gooder! Buying local is good for the environment. Buying fresh is good for you. And our Farmers Market supports the WIC & Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and accepts state issued vouchers in exchange for fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs.

Dale Davis, owner of Stony Hill Gardens & Farm Market, points out even more perks to hitting Springfield on Monday afternoons: "There's a great social aspect to shopping here. People come here to catch up once a week while getting their shopping done."

And the fresh outdoor air isn't the only advantage Farmers Market has on other places: "Our offerings are way fresher than grocery stores," Davis pointed out while gesturing to the handsome selection surrounding him, "You can bet their corn wasn't picked this morning!"

And you can bet I'll see you at the Maplewood Farmers Market on Monday.

Maplewood Farmer's Market is located at Indiana Street and Springfield Avenue. Open Mondays now through October from 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.