The best place to find the freshest produce and products is a farmer's market. Many of the products sold at these markets are from local farms and have been grown organically, which is not only healthy for our local economies and environment, it's good for you and baby. Here are some tips to get the most out of a trip to your local farmer's market:

If you don't know of a nearby market, go online to the national farmer's market directory. The best markets will have more than just fresh produce; they'll also feature organic eggs, fresh breads, local meat, and other items.

Saturday markets generally have a better selection than those on the weekday, so make it a weekend morning tradition. Bring plenty of cash and small bills (most vendors don't take cards or checks), as well as a basket or cloth bag to carry your food home - plastic bags can cut into your hands or break if you've got a heavy load.

When you arrive at the market, take a walk through and identify which vendors have the items you really need and hit those up first. Once you've taken care of your shopping list, you can go back and leisurely sample and browse.

Most of the produce at farmer's markets will have been picked that morning; however, check for signs of aging such as dark spots on the underside of lettuce. If you're unsure how ripe or fresh something is, ask the grower for a taste.