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Farmers Market Etiquette & Answering “Do I Tip the Vendors at the Farmers Market?”

22 May 2023 By: Diane Gottsman

Farmers Market Etiquette | A fruit and vegetable stall with produce on display
It’s always fun to wake up early on a Saturday or Sunday morning and head to a local farmers market with your favorite tote or basket for the day’s discoveries. You can find so many treats in the form of fresh fruit, hot coffee, incredible baked goods and an assortment of soaps, flowers, olive oils, art, pottery and more. To make the experience even better, here are a few tips on what to expect and a commonly asked farmers market etiquette question.

“Do I tip the vendors at the farmers market?”

The answer is a discretionary one. Leaving a tip at the farmers market is a nice gesture if you desire, but not necessary. Sometimes you may simply want to round up and leave the change, which is perfectly fine or if you want to show your appreciation or gratitude for a particular reason, by all means, feel welcome to leave a tip, but otherwise it’s not required.

i.e. Buy a loaf of bread and pay the amount – the tip app asks if you want to leave a tip, but it’s not mandatory.

Here are a few farmers market etiquette tips to make your experience enjoyable.

Get There Early

The farmers market gets busy, and it’s always better to arrive early, get a good parking spot and take advantage of all of the fresh baked goods, vast selections and shorter lines.

Run to the Bank

The day before, go to the bank and bring a pocket full of $5, $10 and $1 dollar bills. Many vendors take credit cards, but some do not, and you want to be prepared.

Farmer's Market Etiquette | Coffee Cake Desserts Under Bell Jars For Sale at Local Farmers Market

Savor the Samples

Taste testing is part of the fun, but don’t make a meal out of the tasting. If you have tried the item several times and still want more, you should probably buy a jar or loaf before it runs out.

Female gardener selling organic crops and picking up a bountiful basket full of fresh produce

Be Ready to Make Conversation

Vendors enjoy talking about their items, and it’s no surprise they are proud of their tomatoes or vibrant colored cabbage and corn. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and inquire about whatever crosses your mind. For example, “Can this quiche be reheated?”

However, if the line is backing up, be a courteous consumer and keep the line moving along swift and smoothly.

Don’t Let the Rain Stop You

Even when the weather is rainy or muggy, most vendors plan ahead of time and still have food and items they must sell. Put on your rain boots and prepare to get a little wet.

African American woman is playing with her french bulldog puppy while walking in the dog park at grass lawn after having morning exercise during summer

Watch Your Dog and Children

The farmers market is a great place to gather with friends and relish the day, but don’t forget to keep your children and pets nearby (pets on a leash and your children in close proximity). Strollers can block the walkway, and pets have a habit of marking their territory—watch carefully so nothing gets bumped, broken or soiled.

Straw bag and reusable fabric bags filled with various healthy fruit and vegetables. Wooden background, top view.

Bring Your Own Bags

Vendors appreciate you bringing your own shopping bags, a few for heavy products and another set for lighter weight foods and breads. Keep in mind some of your items will be sharp, wet or need to stay cold until you get home.

Pack Cleaning Products

You will most likely want to enjoy some of the delicious food at the farmers market, and your hands may have been touching neighbors pets, going through plants and running your fingers over pieces of art and toiletry items. Be prepared with hand wipes, paper towels, bug spray, a blanket to sit on if there are no available benches, paper towels and a reusable water bottle.

Haggling is Offensive

A farmers market is not the same as a flea market, and it’s not polite to haggle over the price of a box of cherry tomatoes. You can be money conscious by bringing back glass jars and dishes for those vendors who offer a discount for returning these items.

Enjoy!

It feels good to “buy local,” and you will probably meet a whole new set of people who can potentially become friends. Like minded people go to the same places, and if you are in the market for farm fresh eggs or grass raised beef, or a piece of art by a local artist, or hill country honey, the farmers market is the perfect place to meet.

For more information about working with Diane, America’s “Go to” social and professional (manners) skills authority, please visit The Protocol School of Texas. 

You may also like Outdoor Entertaining Etiquette: Summer Edition. See what Diane is up to by following her on Instagram and Facebook. Find etiquette inspiration on her Pinterest account and keep up with her latest tweets. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, refer to her posts on Inc. and HuffPost. 

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Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.