Farmers Market season is upon us!

It's the time of year for fresh veggies and fresh air, and what better way to enjoy both than at a local farmers market? Whatever part of town you live in and whenever you have availability, there's sure to be one to suit your needs.

My favorite? The Colorado Farm and Art Market on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Margarita at Pine Creek, just west of the Woodmen and I-25 intersection.

For one, Saturday is a great time to hit a market. Secondly, the CFAM market is unique in that vendors must be the growers of the produce they're selling. Other markets have middlemen selling fruit and vegetables grown by other people, perhaps even in other states, and can't guarantee if it was grown without chemicals, pesticides or other ucky things. At CFAM, you really get to make a direct connection to local farmers and growers.

If Saturdays don't work for you, check out a whole list of farmers markets, schedules and locations by visiting www.localdish.net and clicking on "Local Food" --> "Farmers Markets."

Lastly, a few tips to keep in mind when farmers market shopping:

• Arrive early for the freshest produce and the best selection. Good things tend to sell out mid morning.
• Bring your own bags! Also, consider bringing a basket or rolling cooler if you plan on buying a large amount.
• Cash is king! Most farmers cannot take credit cards and are loathe to accept checks.
• Ask questions. Most farmers are happy to talk about where their farm is and their growing methods, and you walk away more knowledgeable about exactly what you're buying.
• Shop around. If you're looking for strawberries, look at all the vendors offering strawberries before you make up your mind.
• Don't try to negotiate on price. Just because you're not in a grocery store doesn't mean that the price isn't firm. And if you must negotiate, do so while showing the utmost respect for the grower.
• Experiment! Pick up something new to try. Don't know what to do with it? Check out that Web site, www.localdish.net, which has a great database of recipes.