Discover Your Local Farmer's Market

This time of year local produce is coming into season, it is a great way to get fresh produce and support your local farmers as well. In the town that I live in they have a farmer's market on Wednsday and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm. They sell everything from fruit and vegetables to home baked goods and jelly. They also sometimes sell crafts as well.

There are great ways to save money and you can also barter or trade for what you need. You could even consider canned fruits and vegetables if you enjoy these types of things. Our favorites are canned peaches and green beans. My grandmother still cans these things and even made apple butter out of some of the apples.

You may consider trying to find the pick your own places where you can pick your own apples, peaches, strawberries, or other fruits or vegetables. Strawberry jam is an old family favorite. This is a great expierence for the whole family, I still remember picking strawberries in the strawberry patch to make jam with. However, most of these places have produce already picked for a higher price since you didn't pick them yourself.

You can buy organic produce for less than what you would pay in the regular grocery store as well. Buy something good for your family and take them along to see what kinds of things they would like to try. You can eat healthier and get some excercise at the same time.

There are also some stands that sell fresh baked goods like breads, cookies, and pies. Most are made by older ladies and are similar to what your grandmother would give you when you were little. You certainly can't buy them in a supermarket!

Some places even sell crafts, the last time I went we got see a woman making yarn from wool which see used to make scarfs and gloves with. We also saw a stand that was selling wooden carved puzzles that they carved by hand. It's a great thing to do on a saturday morning in the fall. I love that time of year, the cool air is so refreshing. It can't hurt to stop by and have a look, who knows you may just make a habit of it and even make some new friends!