Years ago, I read chef Jeff Crump’s book, Earth to Table. In it, Crump recalls an experience from his days at Chez Panisse Restaurant (Alice Waters‘ hallowed stomping ground) that won him over to seasonal eating. He tells about biting into an ear of corn just hours out of the hot fields. Standing over that crate of corn, sweet goodness dripping down his chin, was a moment of simultaneous discovery and remembering for Crump: “That’s what corn tastes like!”

Crump’s top reason for championing seasonal eating and sourcing from local farmers is flavor. And it’s no wonder. Shortening that distance between farm and fork ensures that you’re able to access it at its ripest. This translates into meals bursting with flavor.

Intrigued by Crump’s experience, I began pursuing my own “earth to table” moments at the local farmer’s market.

I will tell you no lie. It was intimidating at first. I think we’re all use to the comfortable disconnect of the American supermarket. We haphazardly chuck our produce in the cart without a second thought about whether it’s in season locally, or who might have grown it.

But everything changes when you experience the seasonal landscape of the market. It’s limited, but in the best way. I love walking through the rows of booths knowing that everything there was connected to the red Carolina earth only hours before. It’s very grounding.

Nothing reconnects you to the whole “earth to table” process quite like meeting the venders though. Coming face to face with the person whose months of faithful labor brought that produce into the world humanizes the process and brings it close to home.

If you’re thinking about adventuring out to your local market for the first time this weekend, I’ve got three tips to help you pull it off like a pro:

So much can be learned at the market just by looking closely. Even if you don’t buy anything, always take note of what produce is being sold. This will help orient you to what’s in season for your local area. Paying attention to all the booths is not only a good way to make sure you don’t miss the boat on your favorite fruits and veggies, it’s also a great way to discover new ones.

Finding the season’s freshest takes some investigating. According to Mireille Guiliano, author of the fabulous French Women Don’t Get Fat and French Women for All Seasons, our French sisters engage all their senses when shopping at the market. Poking, squeezing, smelling, and sampling are all a part of finding that perfectly ripe poire or tomate.

Unsure how to tell if a certain type of produce is ripe? Ask the venders! Other common questions I ask: Where is your farm located? Do you sell at any other local groceries/stands? What variety is this? What’s the best way to store this produce? And my personal favorite: What’s your favorite way to cook this? (Sometimes, like with the fig farmer last August, they just smile at you and say, “Oh, it never makes it that far for me”).

Enjoy!