How to Make the Most of Your Farmers Market Haul
Spring is in full swing and summer’s just on the horizon. That means flowers in full bloom, birds making their way back home, and the return of one of our favorite warm weather activities — the farmers market.
According to some estimates, there are more than 8700 farmers markets operating across the country each year. Farmers markets are a great way to support local farmers while also getting some of the freshest food you can buy. Put on your sunglasses, grab your reusable tote bags, and find one near you today.
What to Buy
Farmers markets offer some of the best-tasting, most nutrient-dense food available. You’ll find meat, dairy, eggs, bread, honey and of course, lots of fruits and vegetables. Produce is usually picked ripe and sold within days, traveling much shorter distances than much of what you’d find at a typical supermarket.
Our favorite strategy for optimizing farmers market shopping is to have a plan, but make sure it’s a flexible one. Your location, the time of year, and factors on an individual farm can affect what’s on offer.
For example, maybe you know you’d like to meal prep a breakfast casserole this week. You definitely want farm-fresh eggs, and you’d like a dark, leafy green but you’re not married to spinach, kale or anything in particular. You can browse the stands and see what looks best that week. Any other veggies that catch your eye can also be easily incorporated. Maybe you’re also craving fruit for your lunch box snacks this week, so you visit your favorite orchard’s tent to see what speaks to you and scoop up some seasonal apples or peaches.
Having a general idea of what’s in season can help you prepare — as can getting to know your local farmers! Ask questions of your vendors and learn more about their farms. Establishing a rapport can help make sure you’re going home with the very best they have to offer each week.
Farm-Fresh and Protein-Packed Recipes
Whatever you bring home from your farmers market, we can help you find ways to use your haul to help meet your protein goals. From fruity smoothies to delicious snack dips, our recipes combine fresh produce and Premier Protein products to create appetizers, desserts, and more.
High Protein Dips for Fruits & Vegetables
Dips are a delicious way to add protein to a fruit spread, cheese board or picnic. Impress your friends at summer gatherings or level up your afternoon snacks with these recipes.
- Our peanut butter yogurt dip pairs perfectly with fruit, celery, or pretzels
- Make open-faced fruit sandwiches with protein spread (we think it’d be great with sweet veggies like cucumbers or tomatoes too!)
- Dip grapes, berries or crackers into our decadent cake batter dip
- Try this simple chocolate fondue with a protein boost
Combine Fresh Produce + Premier Protein
Fresh fruit in the summer can’t be beat. Incorporating that fresh fruit into high protein breakfasts, snacks and desserts can be a game changer. Elevate some of our favorite recipes with your farm-fresh fruit.
- Grab a juicy, ripe watermelon and make our watermelon and strawberry chia smoothie, which has a full 30g of protein and 6 grams of fiber
- When blueberries are in season, these blueberry protein cheesecake bites make a perfect snack your whole family will love
- Our berry boost smoothie combines fresh berries with our Strawberries & Cream Protein Shake for tons of berry flavor
- Bringing a dessert to a BBQ? This strawberry dessert pie will be a hit with farm-fresh strawberries
Our final farmers market tip is to bring a Premier Protein Shake with you to enjoy while you shop! You’ll help meet your protein goal for the day, and hopefully spark some protein-fueled creativity as you browse the stands.
Picked up something fresh at the farmers market? We want to see how you’re using it with Premier Protein! Snap a pic and tag us using #PremierProtein.