Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

The only tip I can offer: if you don't want to pay the listed price, move along. Unless you're buying a massive quantity, in which case asking for a discount is reasonable (though getting turned down is also reasonable), trying to negotiate prices will just end up wasting the farmer's time.

Remember: nobody's getting rich by selling you produce - you're not being "robbed" by choosing to pay a higher price for fresh, high-quality local food. Prices at the market reflect the reality of growing, picking, and transporting the produce for each farmer.

In fact, we're all being "robbed" by the tax breaks that giant agricultural conglomerates get for shipping produce halfway around the world, making a pint of raspberries from Chile cheaper to buy than a tastier pint of local berries. The difference is, we ALL pay - financially and otherwise - so that grocery shoppers can save a few bucks on the imported stuff at checkout.

Keep that in mind the next time you're lamenting being "robbed" by hardworking farmers for delicious, locally-produced food.

To save money, do a "walk through" to see who has the best prices and best produce.

I would not try to negotiate either. If you do, I would wait until the end also as suggested by GrimChef.

But I would inquire if they offer a bulk or quantity price for say a half or full bushel.

@ producestories - how are you wasting the farmers time, it is an open and free market. You throw out a counter offer the vendor says no. End of story, Matt moves on.

Negotiations occur everyday, whether it be monetary or in social settings and a farmers markets, just like any other market succumbs to the forces of supply and demand. so why not negotiate at the farmers market? This is basic opportunity cost, if at the end of the day the vendor still has a supply of produce and there is an option to take a little less money, than no money at all (as we all know some produce and herbs are more perishable then other and this is assuming he can't sell the produce at full value else where), then it is in the vendors best interest to negotiate. If he does then both parties win. You could even argue that the vendor wins twice, not only gaining revenue but also getting one more person who supports local business and farming and Matt gets his produce. If the vendor says no, than Matt really doesn't lose anything, but the vendor loses the potential revenue.

With all of that said and to clarify my original post, negotiation should only be done at the end of the day (and at my farmers market a lot of vendors will decrease their prices on their own the last 15 min or so before closing). I am not condoning that Matt barter with every single vendor for the best possible price early in the day. It simply won't work, every vendor will most likely say no, because the market is in full swing and there is an opportunity to sell to someone at full price. If Matt needs to barter with every vendor then he shouldn't be buying the produce in the first place.

Furthermore you can't tell me that these farmers aren't making money, I will agree they aren't going to get rich, but they aren't making so little that some negotiation at the end of the day isn't going to benefit both parties. If they weren't making some money they wouldn't be doing it.

Finally, If should be noted that Matt may not be getting that much of a deal when it all comes down to it. By the time he gets the opportunity to negotiate, there is a good chance the produce will be picked over and the quality a little less.

Am I the only one that pays a little extra at the Farmers Market? If something is $4.50, I'll just hand over a five and tell them to keep the change. And I occasionally get free stuff every now and then, so it all balances out in the long run.

Haggling works best when both parties are immersed in that cultural method; if not it comes across as rude to one of the parties and passersby.

i work at the farmer's market as a vendor and let me tell you, there is no negotiation thing going on at that market. perhaps if you ask about a bulk price you may get a deal.....

believe me, nobody's getting rich at these markets..... remember if it's a seasonal market you have to make enough to last you all winter long.

hey, how much do you make a day @grimchef???? can you cut me a deal? i need a party catered.

@GrimChef - Negotiating at the end of the day for perishable goods is an exception, definitely - farmers would rather not cart the stuff that's been in the sun all day home and are often happy for the opportunity to sell it. That's a win-win situation (though I personally would rather pay the regular prices for fresher produce and a better selection).

I do have one tip. I'm a greenmarket vendor myself, and sometimes near the end of the day, in desperation for change, I'll give someone a dollar off if they can pay in exact change (or better yet, all singles). If you come loaded with singles, it's possible you could work a similar angle sometimes.

Ask about a market CSA. Two of the farms at the Copley Square Farmers' Market in Boston offer a different type of CSA where you make a payment upfront and they give you a discount on everything you buy.

At Atlas Farm, for example, I paid $90 for $100 in product. In addition they offer specials for CSA members only.

You pick out exactly what you want and they have you sign for your purchase. When your share is gone, you can buy another. They also offer larger shares at a better discount. ($300 in produce for $250 or $600 for $500.)