For a long as Italians have been eating, fresh produce has been a delectable mainstay of their menus. Vegetables find their way into countless preparations for antipasto platters; endless combinations with pasta or in risotto; in side dishes (known as contorni) that accompany a secondo, or second course, of meat, poultry or fish; and, of course, fresh fruit or fruit-based sweets for dessert. And traditionally, the produce used for these dishes is not the kind that is shipped or flown for thousands of miles or sits on supermarket shelves for weeks on end.  Italian cooks prize vegetables, fruits, and herbs that arrive in their kitchens straight from the backyard garden or were just picked at a local farm. For the latter, they head to their local farmers market.

It’s impossible to know when or where open-air markets first appeared, but it’s safe to say that they have been an essential part of daily life in cultures across the globe for thousands of years. Open-air markets, especially in warmer climates, were one of the first ways that producers could sell their wares, and, as permanent stores became more common, “market day” became the day when farmers from outlying areas could bring their homegrown and homemade goods into the town square and townspeople could fill their cupboards for the week ahead.

This tradition still thrives today in countries around the world, and especially in Italy. In every region of the country, in small towns and large cities alike, people flock to open-air and farmers’ markets to find the freshest food for their tables. Perhaps the best-known Italian open-air market is right in the heart of Rome: the Campo de’ Fiori (meaning “field of flowers,” which is what it was until it was paved with stone in the 15th century). In spring, the Campo de’ Fiori comes alive with color and fragrance, as the first flowers and plants make their appearance, and the first vegetables of spring – usually peas, carrots asparagus, potatoes, and onions – begin to grace the many stalls. Most of this produce is locally grown, which means it is not harvested until fully ripe and bursting with flavor. A large range of herbs and spices also is available, especially as summer arrives.

Shopping at the Campo de’ Fiori, and at any of the countless other outdoor markets across Italy, isn’t just about, well, shopping.  It’s a place where you can get a close-up look at a town’s or city’s everyday life. Local patrons of the markets taste and poke for freshness, haggle and deal for bargains, chat with their neighbors, catch up with friends, and debate, often loudly, the political situation of the city and the country.

Here at home, the popularity of farmers markets (or greenmarkets, as they’re often called in America) continues to rise, as more and more people become interested in buying fresh products directly from local farms. According to the 2004 National Farmers Market Directory, the number of farmers markets in the United States has grown dramatically in recent years, increasing 111 percent from 1994 to 2004. Today, some 3,700 farmers markets are in operation. Find one in your area on this list of farmers markets by state put together by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

When you do visit, remember that part of the fun is looking around and finding the fresh vegetables and fruits that strike your fancy or that you may have not tried before. Talk to the vendors and find out how they grow – and like to cook – their artichokes or eggplant.  Take along our Spring Vegetables menu recipes so you’ll bring home everything you need. If your market doesn’t have the vegetables called for in the recipes, buy whatever you like and then do a search by ingredient on this site to find a delicious, easy-to-make pasta meal recipe created and tested by Barilla’s prize-winning chefs. 

Buying locally grown food from the farmers market taps into an age-old tradition, supports family farming, and it’s one step toward healthier eating. It’s also a fun and delicious way to kick off spring and to keep your family and friends eating fresh, flavorful food all summer long.