I adore the farmer’s market. I’m in Ohio so while we can go to one year around, it’s just starting to really come alive this time of year.
Thought it might be fun to share what’s “in” at your market this time of year, what you’ve bought good recently and any other tidbits about one of the most magical places to be….the farmer’s market!
We can keep this going all summer/fall. 
I just returned from our downtown market, probably the largest one here. From Wednesday-Friday there are suburb markets with some of the same vendors but the Saturday market has the most.
I have found a new to me pork and poultry vendor that and I’m loving their products. Pork breakfast sausage that literally has no fat in the pan after browning! I also have been getting eggs here ($5/dozen) and today I’m trying some brats as well.
I was disappointed that I couldn’t find a bread person today! Except for the mega one whose bread to me is just barely a step up from store bought bread.
We occasionally go to a farmers market. But not often. Where we live, CSAs are very popular, and we also have two great farm market stores that are open year round. We shop local so we do those things.
We have plenty of CSA’s as well. And a local produce store with a few local locations. But the farmer’s market has much more to offer than either of these can (market’s aren’t just about fruits/vegetables!) and the vibe can’t be beat!
Call me weird but I get all kinds of happiness out of seeing people/families of all ages/stages using this venue to pick some of their nutrition for the week along with plants, flowers for the table, soap products, etc.
I always have high hopes for our local farmers market, but then I get there and remember why I don’t make it a regular stop. The veggies are sparse, the meat and fish are local vendors that have shops in town with more variety offered, can’t eat the bread (celiac), the local beekeep with honey also has a shop in town and everything else is crafts. While it’s convenient to have everything in one spot, the time is so (2 hours on Tuesday) that it’s not worth planning around. I’d be more apt to plan around it if they had eggs and good gluten free bread.
Not more vegetables during peak season?
I also like that our farmer’s market is very welcoming and accommodating to those who receive food assistance and offers many promotions to encourage families of all incomes to come and participate.
Our farm stores have many things in addition to their fruits, vegetables (and plants). Breads, meat, eggs, cookies, jellies, granolas, candies, small gifts, ice cream, pies, syrups, herbs and spices.
I’m sure I’m leaving stuff out.
And not weather dependent either!
I like roaming around farmers markets too…on occasion. But our farm stores fill my needs well too.
There are numerous year round farmers markets in this area. Husband goes to one every Sunday as part of his routine grocery shopping. He says “stone fruit” is in right now, peaches and cherries. Also fresh blueberries, bigger and better than the year round ones. Much of the produce is available year round but the time of year dictates where it comes from. In the winter, more likely to come from Central Valley and Mexico. Summer, closer to home.
I have a favorite Valencia orange vendor who is at several markets. I have only drunk fresh squeezed orange juice since shortly after we moved here.
The markets tend to be about one third produce/farmers, one third prepared foods and one third crafts and packaged food products. There are a few local bakeries that have stands. Some started as farmer market booths and developed into retail establishments. There’s a Wednesday afternoon/evening market in our neighborhood that has shifted to more and more prepared food and less produce vendors; so now mainly a place to eat and listen to performers. The markets cater to locals and tourists alike. Little Italy very much tourists, Hillcrest more locals, and Ocean Beach a mix.
I guess the farmers markets serve in lieu of food trucks, which are not big here.
Our market isn’t year round. It’s really only during peak season and it’s still sparse. Most of the farms in our area do a booming CSA business, so at times limit what they bring to the farmers market to ensure their CSA members get the best share possible.
A church about a block from where the farmer’s market is has it’s own garden and they supply produce to those in need (will either drop off or have a table out with a take what you need sign). I find the prices at our farmer’s market to be on the high side.
Same here. I love wandering around farmer’s markets, but I rarely buy anything besides Lions Mane when available (in Maine) from a local mushroom grower. Nothing is ever out of season in Arizona, and the farm stores carry it all. We have our own citrus trees and herb garden, there is a wonderful olive mill/coffee roastery down the street (that also makes their own gelato), and we have one of the country’s few ancient-grains farms and flour mill in town supplying all my bread-making needs, so farmer’s markets in AZ don’t hold much appeal.
Our Farmer’s markets vary considerably. Some are mostly fairs with lots of ready to eat foods — like lunch wagons. There is some produce and some other offerings—the largest one has become a tourist attractions and has busloads of tourists every saturday. I don’t go often as I don’t like the crowds.
I’m like you @abasket I love just walking around the Farmers Market even if I don’t get anything. This week’s goodies included:
Eggs, beef, and pork
Local cheeses
Specialty mushrooms
Flower bouquets
Honey/beeswax products
Maple Syrup
Micro greens
Botanical skin care
Berries, vegetables, tree fruit
Artisan bread
Chocolates
Kombucha
Local made spirits
Dog treats
Coffee
Artisan pasta
There’s always a musical act playing and toys for the kiddies to play with
Yay! A farmers market buddy! 
I went to Eastern market in Detroit this morning. This is my 2nd visit this spring and I’ll go every Saturday now through the late fall. I got some plants for my garden- rosemary, dill, delphinium and lavender. I also picked up a dozen free range organic eggs for $6, a bunch of sweet white radishes that are good in salads, Bibb lettuce and some local honey. There were numerous flower and plant vendors that are less expensive than our local nurseries. 2 weeks ago I picked up 2 lilac bushes that were at least half what I would have paid at our local nursery. There are 2 great bakeries that I like as well as several other vendors selling homemade bread. I like that over the past 10 years or so the number of vendors selling organic produce has increased. Prices are generally much lower than my local grocery stores and quality is much better. I can’t wait til local tomatoes and peaches are available! I love going!
The Eastern Market in Detroit is a gold standard!!
Agree on the Eastern Market, but it’s been decades since I’ve been there. Glad to hear it’s still around.
Not a fan of any of the farmer’s markets I have been two (and that is in two states). They are usually filled with very overpriced foods - veggies, fruits, meats, prepared foods, baked goods, etc. I long for the good old days of the farm market stand on the road side with a local farmer selling his ultra fresh corn for a very low price.
We still have those near here. And our farm markets sell their own freshly picked produce at their farm markets and through their CSAs.
We have farmers markets in two nearby towns. They are more of a social gathering place…and that is fun too.
Greenmarkets have been a part of NYC life since 1976 and are now in most neighborhoods. The one near my house is open from May through October on Saturdays when it takes over half of the Walgreen’s parking lot.
I am waiting for local strawberries, corn and tomatoes. All products are grown on farms in NYS, NJ and CT, and vendors take SNAP and credit/debit cards, except maybe the Mennonite vendors who don’t take cards in general–not sure about SNAP.
ETA that they took food scraps, yard waste, etc. until the NYC Sanitation Dept, started collecting it from all residential properties. They hire contractors to process it as compost, used by the Parks Department and distributed to the community.
We have those too outside of the city! And CSA’s for those who prefer that route.
Maybe you’ve just not been to a “good old fashioned” farmers market where they back up their truck to their assigned “corral” and unload and sell right out of it. I think our prices are reasonable and the of the vendors are farmers themselves and they are selling true seasonal produce (in other words NOT selling tomatoes in Ohio in May!) then I know I’m also getting fresh(er) produce and helping our rural economy