It's getting to be that time of year again. Farmer's markets are ramping up to get into action. Last year I participated on a very limited level as the deer on my land ate most of what I had. This year however, I have high hopes for a bumper crop. My question for fellow marketers: How do you take care of your veggies from harvest to market? My plan is to harvest the night before the morning markets. Does everything need to be put in water overnight to keep it fresh? And do you take it to market in water? Does everything have to be kept cool? If so, how do you do this? I have an extra fridge but it won't hold everything. Thanks for your experience. Stace

-- Stacey (stacey@lakesideinternet.com), April 19, 2002

Answers

Stacey, I put stuff in the frig. if its highly perishable, such as raspberries. Otherwise I pick in the evening cool it off with water, ie. hose it down, then store in a cool place.

-- Sherry (tlnifty@ecenet.com), April 19, 2002.

We use a kiddie pool in the middle of our van floor (we pulled the middle seats out) and keep a small layer of ice in there. We also bring a mister spray bottle to keep the produce nice throughout the day. Hope you have that bumper crop! And maybe a rascal of a deer in your freezer! :)

-- Cowgal (none@none.com), April 19, 2002.

also, misting the veggies thru the day helps them look like they were "just picked, just washed" and much more desirable to the eyes of the customer. :)

-- C (punk_chicadee@yahoo.com), April 19, 2002.

I have a covered utility trailer with a 5000 btu A/C unit that I use as a "reefer ".

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), April 20, 2002.

I only sell blueberries and I pick the day before and refrigerate. I also have the local station say when I will be there. They do that for all the real perisables. I will arrive about 7:30 am and I am sold out by 9:am. I have a separate refrigerator I use just for the blueberries. Our Farmer's Market just got a refrigerator so that will be a great help.

-- debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), April 20, 2002.

I sell a variety of produce, including herbs, flowers, and veggies. I put the mesclun/salad mix into pails of cold water as I harvest it, drain it, and put it into plastic bags. These I refrigerate overnight and keep in a large portable cooler at the market. The flowers are put into water as I cut them in the morning ,the day before market, then arranged in vases that night with fresh water. My cut herbs and asparagus I place in cool water standing up. I try to cut as much as possible the day before market and harvest my blackberries and asparagus the morning of market. Hope this helps.

-- Kris in Wisc (kkwoestman@yahoo.com), April 20, 2002.