Loading up at farmers' markets & cycling

[shootingstar]

From late June to end of Oct., I just can't help myself!! All that gorgeous fresh, local whole food at the farmers' markets during this time. So I do my weekend longer fitness/rec. rides. Then towards end of ride, I drop by our favourite farmers' market(s) and load up the veggies, fruits, herbs..

Sometimes my bike load is dangerously heavy and tipped.
I don't garden, so buying all this stuff is fun and tasty for me.

[emily_in_nc]

We do the same...well, rather, we take "off" Saturdays except for a short utility ride to the Farmer's Market. We bought lovely things today -- lettuces, cherry tomatoes, nectarines, green beans, peppers, zucchini, onions. Then on the way back from that, we stop in at Grocery Outlet for some other items. We take our Bike Fridays with panniers and racks to haul the goodies back in. Fun!

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[Blueberry]

How do you get the big, fragile tomatoes home? I bought about 8 pounds of them (yes, we eat a lot of tomato) and, because I knew I would do that, I drove. These are the big ~2 pound each tomatoes - they have to be very gently handled. Any thoughts? I have standard panniers (ortlieb) at my disposal....

[Eden]

take hard sided containers that will fit flat in your panniers - tupperwear or some such and only put one layer in any one container?

[Blueberry]

take hard sided containers that will fit flat in your panniers - tupperwear or some such and only put one layer in any one container?

That's a good idea - I will try it. Might (seriously) put some cushioning in there (dish towels or something). I was joking that they need their own suspension system to my DH. Lovely produce - but sometimes a pita to transport.

[emily_in_nc]

Blueberry ~~ Bubble wrap! We used it extensively when we lived in Belize as we had only bicycles for transportation and rode on various bumpy unpaved roads, sandy paths, and cobblestones. With ripe tomatoes, wrap each one individually. You can wrap a towel, cloth bag, or larger piece of bubble wrap around the whole group of them, but individually wrap 'em for sure. You wouldn't believe all the stuff we have managed to get home safely with bubble wrap. Yes, there is the occasional "oopsie", but it's rare.

Good luck!

[AppleTree]

Love to bike to our farmers market. We have a nice one on the waterfront here. Just going and walking around the market is a joy, all the colors and food vendors and flowers..,biking there is the icing on the cake!

Love the bubble wrap idea too. Have to try to remember that one.