1. Fresh Herbs

Spring is the best time to buy fresh herbs. Steele's favorites are tarragon, basil, and dill. "Tarragon, especially, can be hard to find at the grocery store, so I always buy that when I see it," she says. Chop them up and add to omelets or scrambled eggs, use them to garnish pasta dishes or salads, or puree them into pesto or chimichurri.

2. Strawberries

You can't beat freshly-picked strawberries and the farmers market will have you covered. A little bit later in the season, you'll also need to keep an eye out for blackberries and raspberries. When buying, Steele says white near the cap of strawberries indicates they aren't fully ripe, so look for them to be red all over. If you're looking for new inspiration for your spring breakfast menu, try Steele's go-to: plain Greek yogurt with fresh berries, honey, and some candied ginger stirred in.

3. Rhubarb

Up next, you can't enjoy a proper fresh strawberry haul without its bestie, rhubarb. "I try to find rhubarb in the spring at the farmers market because finding it at the grocery store can be hit or miss," Steele says. "Strawberry rhubarb pies are one of my favorite spring desserts, so buying both ingredients at the farmers market is fabulous."

4. Fresh Eggs

As a fifth-generation chicken farmer, Steele knows her eggs. "They are likely fresher than eggs from the grocery store and often have nice orange yolk," she says. "You might also be able to find blue eggs, or source duck or quail eggs." She highly recommends making soft-boiled eggs, as they cook up fast and are a great, easy protein to top a bowl of pasta or a salad.

5. Asparagus

Asparagus is a must-purchase ingredient for Steele. "It can take years to grow it in your own garden, and it's fairly expensive at the grocery store," she says. "I've even seen white asparagus at farmers markets, which isn't usually stocked at my grocery store."

6. Plants and Flowers

Farmers markets are a great place to buy seedlings, small herb plants, and packets of vegetable seeds for your home garden. "I love having fresh flowers in the house because nothing makes it feel more like spring," she says. "I also always grab a bouquet of wildflowers or an armful of lilac blossoms."

Bonus Tips

Steele recommends arriving early at the market. "Not only will your selection be better, but the produce won't have been sitting out all day," she says. "Go early, fill your tote bag, and get all that produce home and either into the refrigerator or into a bowl on the counter, depending on where it should be stored."

Curious about a type of fruit or vegetable that you don’t recognize or have never cooked with? Don't be afraid to ask the vendors questions. "Most farmers are really passionate about what they grow and are a great resource for learning more about the specific fruit or vegetable," Steele says. "They will probably have some great suggestions for how to use it."