Farmers Markets are the best for the Mediterranean Diet. Saturdays are the perfect day for going to the Farmers Market. The Mediterranean Diet relies on fresh food, that is not overly processed. What could be better than buying fresh fruits and vegetables? If you are as lucky as me, the Farmers Market near you also sells fresh fish, artisan cheeses and specialty items. On the Mediterranean Diet, we (my Sweetheart and I) buy our pantry items at the grocery store. We buy our perishables at the Farmers Market whenever possible.
Farmers Markets are My Favorite for the Mediterranean Diet
My bestie, Katherine, and I love a good Farmers Market. In fact, we scout them out when traveling. It is always a great way to mingle with locals and really get a feel for the community. There are what I call “pop-up markets” that just exist on certain days of the week, and then more permanent ones that are open daily year-round, or throughout the summer season is colder climates. Some of our favorite Farmers Markets include Winter Park Orlando, Montreal, Seattle, and St. Augustine. Each of these Markets are different and have their own unique charm. All of them rely on one common element – fresh food perfect for the Mediterranean Diet.
My Favorite Local Farmers Markets
Luckily for me, two of my very favorite markets are here on the Treasure Coast, where I live. The Fort Pierce Downtown Farmers Market is a phenomenal place to visit on Saturday. It is a pop-up market. Located right on the waterfront with spices, cheeses, fresh-baked breads, fresh seafood and of course plenty of locally grown fruits and vegetables. One word of caution with this market, there are some food stands that might derail your Mediterranean Diet plan. If you do want to grab breakfast at the market, the B-More Crabcakes stand makes crab cakes that are phenomenal and compliant.
My other favorite market is in Vero Beach, Peterson Groves. This is a daily market, it is available all year-long. I originally went to this market because my favorite fishmonger, Vickie’s Mobile Seafood, is there a few days each week. My Sweetheart and I make sure to go to Persons Groves a few times a month. It is part of my perfect Saturday. We load the coolers into the Jeep (doors off and top down) and head to Vero Beach.
Here is a secret. I am a food blogger and home chef who absolutely hates to shop. The grocery store makes me anxious. Once I am in the store, I have to read every label and it takes me three times longer to shop than it should. It is like a time warp for me. The only thing worse than the grocery store, is going to the mall. There I literally hyper-ventilate! But a Farmers Market, with very few labels, wide-open air, and the sunshine is the perfect place for me. Both of my favorite Farmers Markets often have live entertainment – something you rarely get in a grocery store.
Our Farmers Market Saturday Routine to Get Fresh Food
Mark and I have it down to a science on our favorite Saturday routines. Up early, I start my menus for the week while he does the inventory of our pantry (I plan to share our pantry must-haves soon). Then he takes my list, derived from my menus, and goes to the grocery store. I drink coffee, reading cookbooks, watch cooking shows or blogging. When he returns we start our jaunt to Petersons Grove. Other than seeing Vickie, Petersons has many speciality items I can’t find other places. Stacy’s Wheat Organic Tortillas are perfect for enjoying Mexicali on the Mediterranean Diet. Every shoot imaginable: radish, broccoli and my favorite sweet pea shoots. In the summer, Petersons carry a mixed green salad with edible flowers from White Rabbit Farms. OH MY GOODNESS the best salad-fixings anywhere!
Farmers Markets and the Mediterranean Diet Go Together
I am super grateful to have a supportive husband who is as commited as I am to eat delicious food that is good for us. Our routines include preparing for our week together. We are blessed to live where we can easily access fresh produce and seafood and have fun together picking it up. I am mainly grateful I married someone who used to run grocery stores as a young man. Seriously, a man who likes to keep our food inventory, and does the grocery shopping? That wasn’t on my checklist of must-haves for my future husband, but if I had known it existed it would have been!
If you are new to the Mediterranean Diet, I encourage you to change your old routines of going out for breakfast on Saturday mornings. Instead head to a local Farmers Market. It will help you adjust to this way of eating and living!
