09/01/2026
DO YOU CARE ABOUT THE FRUITS & VEGGIES THAT YOU EAT? Tips Of Things To Ask A Farmer When You Go To A Farmers Market!
1. Do you grow anything yourself? If so, what? (ask for specifics)
2. Where do you get your produce from? (if they don't grow it)
3. Make sure to ask about each thing individually or you may possibly just get a generic answer.
4. How is it grown? i.e. Are there any chemicals used of any kinds such as fertilizers, herbicides and fungicides?
5. How old is the produce? When was it harvested?
6. If you are looking for organic produce then ask is this item organic? If they say yes, then ask to see their certification. Otherwise, people can simply say whatever they want.
Here is an additional couple of thoughts to help you during your next visit to a farmers market:
A farmer should never hesitate to answer or act ashamed to answer. If they do...draw your own conclusion.
An obvious clue that a farmer did not grow something their self is an item being completely out of season in your area. (for example: Our farm is in the lower part of South Carolina and unless growing indoors we cannot have summer crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons and squash in January.)
I hope this information is helpful for your next farmers market visit. We are proud to be a farmer and of being Certified Organic. Our goal is to help and serve our communities to the best of our ability. Everyone should have access to healthy food!!
Jim Larnish Sharon Hempton Larnish Son-Rise Farm Josh Larnish