National Farmers Market Week

This past Sunday kicked off National Farmers Market Week. And what better time to celebrate, given the berries, stone fruit, tomatoes, corn, and other amazing offerings that are at their best right now? Hopefully you'll have a chance to head out to a nearby market — one of our top eight, perhaps? — and buy the season's bounty until your bags are bursting at the seams.

But before you do so, I'd like to offer some pointers on how to be a better shopper at the farmers market. If you follow these tips, you'll save money and time, avoid the crowds, and simply have a more enjoyable experience overall. Shop savvier when you keep reading.

The USDA has declared this week, August 7th through 13th, National Farmers Market Week. According to the USDA, more than 1,000 farmers markets have opened in the past year — up 17 percent from 2010. There's good reason to get behind them and the whole farm-to-table experience: they're sustainable, community-driven, and personal. But perhaps most importantly, they're fun!

While all farmers markets have a way with engaging the senses, here are some of our top picks from across the country. Keep reading for greenmarkets worth seeking out.

Source: Flickr User ahl