To my fellow produce lovers, I’m going to let you in a little secret: there is a place in Boston where you can get 1 pound of grapes, 2 pounds of broccoli, 1 large head of cauliflower, 2 red peppers, 2 sweet potatoes, 1 bag of baby carrots, and 1 bunch of kale — all for 9 dollars! Is it local? No. Is it all organic? Definitely not. While I do think it’s important to support your local and/or organic farmer, there’s something to be said for not wasting food as well. If your grocery budget is running low, or you find yourself needing to prepare food for a large amount of people, Haymarket is definitely your place!

Haymarket is Boston’s oldest running outdoor market, with vendors having sold produce in this general area since 1820. Nowadays, Haymarket is a surplus market — with much of the produce ripe or near-ripe — so prices are dirt cheap. Haymarket runs every Friday and Saturday from dawn to dusk and is located right next to the Haymarket T station, ironically located beneath the new (indoor) Boston Public Market, which focuses on supporting local and sustainable farmers and vendors.

If you plan to shop at Haymarket, come prepared with cash and a sturdy reusable shopping bag.  Vendors do provide plastic bags but in my experience, you’ll always buy more than the plastic bags will hold and will be grateful for having brought your own. Go wild!