There is something about going to a farmers market that makes me feel like I’ve taken a step back in time. My grandparents and parents were farmers, so I cherish the childhood memories I have of helping them plant their gardens and reaping the rewards a few months later. I especially love the memory of me and my grandma shucking peas together.
To celebrate the longer, warmer days, I wanted to give a shoutout to some of my favorite farmers markets across our great nation. Consider visiting one of these markets as part of your weekly routine if for nothing other than to stop and smell the flowers you’re sure to buy.
1. Union Square Greenmarket, New York City, New York
Union Square Greenmarket is located on the north and west sides of Union Square. It is open year-round on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. This fun, lively market carries many types of fruits, vegetables, freshly baked breads and pastries, homemade jams, flowers, and more. The early bird catches the worm here since farmers who run out of stock may leave early.
2. Eastern Market, Washington, D.C.
For over 136 years, Eastern Market has served as a community hub, connecting neighbors, families, and visitors from around the world. Located in the heart of the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood, Eastern Market is D.C.’s destination for fresh food and community events, and on the weekends, local farm fresh produce and handmade arts and crafts.
From Tuesday through Sunday, merchants serve the finest meats, poultry, seafood, produce, pasta, baked goods, and cheeses from around the world. On weekends, the Eastern Market buzzes with excitement, live music, and local flair. Beyond fruits, veggies, and fresh flowers, over 100 exhibitors of handmade arts, crafts, jewelry, and antiques offer something for everyone.
3. Charleston Farmers Market, Charleston, South Carolina
Nestled in the Historic District in downtown Charleston, the market is open each Saturday from April through the end of November. Additional markets are held on Sundays during the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in May and June and on Saturdays and Sundays in December for the Holiday Market.
The Charleston Farmers Market has something for everyone. There’s a variety of local produce, plants, herbs, and cut flowers as well as breakfast and lunch vendors, live entertainment, and an assortment of arts and crafts from local artisans.
4. Copley Square Farmers Market, Boston, Massachusetts
The Copley Square Farmers Market is Boston’s biggest and busiest farmers market, located in the heart of Back Bay’s commercial and cultural hub. With all the colorful produce and meats, you’ll be sure to find something healthy and delicious to serve up for dinner.
Take a stroll through the market on your way home from work and enjoy the blue skies, bright sun, and perfect temperatures. The market runs Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and features over two dozen Massachusetts farmers offering a vibrant selection of fresh foods.
5. Green City Market, Chicago, Illinois
Chicago’s first and largest year-round sustainable farmers market, Green City Market, provides a marketplace for purchasing sustainably grown food. The market allows farmers and local producers to connect directly with chefs and the greater Chicago community.
But, Green City Market does much more than sell goods; they also educate their customers with programs like Edible Gardens, Club Sprouts, and chef demos. As part of their quest to make the market a place where all Chicagoans have access to healthy food, they not only accept Link (formerly called food stamps), but match what shoppers spend on their Link card dollar for dollar up to $15 per market.
6. Santa Fe Farmers’ Market, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Voted one of the “Top Ten Farmers’ Markets” by Sunset magazine, the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market is one of the oldest, largest, and most successful growers’ markets in the country. The market is a cross between a flea market, an artist show, and a mini-food stop.
All products sold are locally grown by the people selling them (no resellers allowed). Serving more than 150 farmers and producers, the market brings fresh food, education, and fun to its community and promotes small farms and sustainable agriculture in New Mexico.
7. Davis Farmers Market, Davis, California
The Davis Farmers Market, located at Central Park in downtown Davis, operates every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. all year round. On Wednesday evenings from March through October, the farmers market is open from 4:30 p.m. to sunset for Picnic in the Park. Visitors can shop the farmers market, buy dinner at the food fair, and entertain youngsters with bounce houses, face painting, a petting farm, and more.
Davis Enterprise readers have repeatedly voted the market as the best community event and the best place in Yolo County to take an out-of-towner.
8. Pike Place Market, Seattle, Washington
A giant red “Public Market Center” sign announces Pike Place Market — and that’s just one of the reasons the market is so Insta-worthy! The smell of flowers bigger than you’ve ever seen (and remember, I grew up on a farm!) will saturate your nose while the butchers play a lively game of toss with their fresh fish.
Located at the end of a cobblestone street, the market features fresh wares from more than 80 Washington farmers. Vendors offer everything from foraged food, like mushrooms and huckleberries, to farm crafts, like beeswax candles and lavender body butter.
9. Portland Farmers Market, Portland, Oregon
A farmers market located on a college campus? I sure could’ve used this my freshman year! (Instead, I opted for late night pizza smothered in ranch dressing.)
The market at Portland State University is open year-round on Saturdays, rain or shine, with your favorite foods fresh from the field. Chef demos, music, and food education events make this lively market a great place to gather with friends and family on a relaxing Saturday.
10. Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, San Francisco, California
The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is a triweekly market at the San Francisco Ferry Building. Since 1993, the market has served as a key link between urban dwellers and local farmers. It’s notorious for its diverse offering of delicious, high-quality products from California’s trailblazing sustainable growers, producers, and chefs. The market also provides educational programs to connect urban eaters with the local foodshed.
