Just as Punxsutawney Phil predicted this year, spring is near. That means wildflowers blooming, warmer days, and warmer weather. It also means, after months of hearty root vegetables, it’s time farmers’ markets are emerging from slumber to offer a cornucopia of fresh seasonal ingredients. Across North America, farmers markets celebrate the seasonal bounty in towns and cities large and small, offering a fresh taste of locality direct from the source. From the desert to the coast, these are twelve great farmers’ markets to shop at this spring.
Looking for the Best Farmers’ Markets? Try These!
1. Green City Market in Chicago
What started as a seed of an idea in the late-‘90s, inspired by visits to farm-fresh food markets in Europe, Green City Market has blossomed into the preeminent source of seasonal, local food in Chicago. The original market is still going strong in the heart of Lincoln Park, held on Saturdays from April through November, and on Wednesdays from May through October. In addition to the vast outdoor original, sister markets have since emerged in the West Loop and Avondale, spreading the gospel of fresh Midwestern food far and wide. At each one, shoppers can look for a dizzying array of produce, cheeses, meats, pickled items, eggs, prepared foods, and everything in between. There are also recurring chef demonstrations, and the marquee Chef BBQ every summer, featuring countless tastings of dishes from chefs and pastry chefs.
Nearby KOAs
Chicago Northwest KOA Holiday
2. Palafox Market in Pensacola
Every Saturday of the year (aside from the weekend of the Grand Mardi Gras Parade), Palafox Market turns downtown Pensacola into a kaleidoscope of farm-grown color. Now held at two locations, Palafox Market North and Palafox Market South, each outing brings forth a wealth of purveyors and their sundries, from Floridian produce and baked goods to plants, antiques, art, and sauces. A wildly popular pastime, it’s advised to arrive early if you want to avoid the crowds, and ensure that you get the goods before it’s gone. Or, simply grabbing a coffee from a nearby cafe along Palafox Street and strolling through the market is entertaining in and of itself.
Nearby KOAs
Gulf Shores / Pensacola West KOA Holiday
Milton / Gulf Pines KOA Holiday
3. Santa Fe Farmers’ Market in Santa Fe
One of the most enduring farmers’ markets in the U.S., the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market originated as a frills-free assortment of farmers selling their wares out of trucks in the ‘60s. Nowadays, it’s long since evolved into a full-blown spectacle — a gathering of more than 150 farms and farmers from throughout northern New Mexico, gathering en masse at a permanent location in the Railyard District twice a week (Saturday markets are year-round, while Tuesday markets are May through December). 100% locally grown and/or handmade, vendors run the gamut with everything from meat and dairy to herbs, flowers, fruits, vegetables, and honey. Don’t miss the on-site cafe, which spotlights its seasonal surroundings with local donuts, breakfast burritos, lattes, and more.
Nearby KOAs
Santa Fe KOA Journey
4. Farmers Market at Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City
Spring through fall, the largest park in downtown Oklahoma City plays home to the city’s most essential farmers’ market. The Farmers Market at Scissortail Park, held on Saturdays from April through October and Wednesdays from May through September, is a lustrous spotlight on Oklahoma-exclusive producers and purveyors, encompassing all the requisite produce and cheeses, along with honeys, meats, crafts, art, kitchen wares, and beyond. A Veggie Valet is on-hand to hold ingredients as visitors continue to shop, and regular amenities include things like the Tiny Bubbles Champagne cart, which offers mimosas for guests as they peruse rhubarb.
Nearby KOAs
Oklahoma City East KOA Holiday
5. Russian River Farmers Market in Guerneville, California
Under the canopy of the redwood forest in Sonoma County, along the meandering Russian River that weaves its way through wine country, the aptly named Russian River Farmers Market is a beacon of freshness in one of the most fertile, fruitful regions of the U.S. Held June through August on Church Street in the quirky town of Guerneville, the season is short but sweet, prioritizing quality over quantity with its curated crop of vendors and wares. Purveyors and farmers rotate, but typically include the likes of Fidel’s Gourmet Produce (mushrooms), Geyserville Gourmet (pickled and fermented foods), Neufeld Farms (fresh and dried fruits), Hidden Lake Farm (eggs), and Raymond’s Bakery for scratch-made loaves and pastries.
Nearby KOAs
Cloverdale / Healdsburg KOA
San Francisco North / Petaluma KOA
6. Bangor European Market in Bangor, Maine
For proof that it’s not all lobster and blueberries in Maine, look no further than Bangor European Market, a year-round institution that draws inspiration from throughout New England and Europe for its wide variety of homegrown groceries. Held every Saturday at the Sunnyside Greenhouse, the well-traveled market includes essentials like produce, eggs, milk, meat, and cheese, along with prepared foods, spices, and seasonings inspired by Greek, Mexican, and British traditions. Look for unique farmers’ market finds like meat pies, deviled eggs, empanadas, taquitos, spinach pie, and more.
Nearby KOAs
Bangor / Holden KOA Holiday
Bucksport / Fort Knox KOA Holiday
7. Houston Farmers Market in Houston
Designed to highlight Houston as one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the U.S., the mighty Houston Farmers Market is more like a sprawling, permanent food hall than your typical esoteric market. The oldest and largest of its kind in the city, the farmers market runs year-round out of its 18-acre space, where farmers convene alongside restaurants, cafes, shops, and events. Naturally, for a market as diverse and expansive as this, you can expect to find all manner of Texas-grown vittles, from smoldering chiles and florals to herbs, fruits, veggies, cookies, chicken, lamb, beef, coffee, corn, and more. A dining destination in its own right, on-site restaurants include Crawfish & Noodles, Underbelly Burger, and Comalito taqueria, while The Egg House is a longstanding institution known for its fresh eggs and egg-based dishes, plus sausage, bacon, jams, and honey.
Nearby KOAs
Lake Conroe / Houston North KOA Holiday
Galveston Island KOA Holiday
8. Dane County Farmers’ Market in Madison, Wisconsin
Billed as the largest producers-only farmers’ market in the country, Dane County Farmers Market is a mammoth tradition in the heart of Wisconsin’s capital city. Now held at two locations, twice a week from spring through fall, the mighty market began small — as an ode to Europe’s open-air markets in the early ‘70s, anchored along the grounds of the State Capitol building. It didn’t take long for locals to flock, and in its second year, the market was bursting at the seams with Wisconsin producers eager to be apart of it. Fast-forward to today, and the Dane County Farmers Market is more quintessential than ever, with hundreds of producers showcasing their products — 100% of which is grown, raised, and produced in the state. Saturdays are especially lively, when producers are joined by live music, arts, and crafts.
Nearby KOAs
Milton KOA Holiday
9. The Baltimore Farmers Market in Baltimore
The largest farmers’ market in Maryland, The Baltimore Farmers Market is put on by BOPA, a non-profit dedicated to preserving and promoting arts and culture in Baltimore. April through December, the enormous market takes place at Jones Fall Expressway and Holiday and Saratoga Streets, filled with everything from produce and seafood to clothes, accessories, housewares, and art, and jazzy musicians are known to provide the soundtrack.
Nearby KOAs
Washington DC / Capitol KOA Holiday
10. The Original Farmers Market in Los Angeles
As the name suggests, The Original Farmers Market is a big deal in Los Angeles, a city known for its year-round growing seasons and affinity for fresh ingredients. Now nearly a century in business, the market first emerged in 1934 as a comparatively modest assortment of vendors and purveyors. Today, it’s a Mall of America-sized lineup of over 100 producers and growers, in a year-round permanent space that’s as much a tourist attraction as it is a locals’ fixture. Seasonal ingredients are the staple, and span the spectrum from olive oils and ice cream to hot sauces and nut butters, but The Original Farmers Market now includes an assortment of cuisines and eateries. Among the many dining options, you’ll find Bryan’s Pit Barbecue, Phil’s Deli & Grill, Marmalade Cafe, Market Chicken Rotisserie, Thicc Burger, and more.
Nearby KOAs
Ventura Ranch KOA Holiday
11. St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market in Waterloo, Ontario
An icon since 1975, St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market is way more than a source for groceries — it’s a full-scale entertainment and dining destination, with myriad vendors, events, tours, and seasonal sales. Located by King Street, Weber Street, and the railway tracks, this colossal cultural cornerstone has truly something for everyone: barbecue, mushrooms, knives, jewelry, bagels, cheese, art, wine, clothes, paper goods, and everything in between. Prepared foods are in abundance, whether for a snack or a meal, and include the likes of fresh fritters, tacos, schnitzel, pierogi, pizza, and milkshakes. Throughout the year, the market features different seasonal spotlights, themes, and tours, like chocolate for February, and ticketed tours to nearby maple farms during maple sugaring season in late-winter.
12. Wolfville Farmers’ Market in Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Like many markets on this list, Wolfville Farmers’ Market started small, as an indie three-vendor outing in a parking lot. Today, it’s ballooned in size and scope to include more than 65 farmers, vendors, and chefs, showcasing their skills and their ingredients in a permanent location at a 9,000-sq.-ft. former apple warehouse. Held on Saturdays all year-long, it’s now the requisite stop for fresh food with a side of live music, plus all the mushrooms, seafood, pork, turkey, breads, canned goods, and eggs you could crave. And come hungry, because prepared food vendors offer cuisines from India, Nepal, and Korea.
Nearby KOAs
Halifax West KOA
Born and raised in New Hampshire, Matt Kirouac grew up with a love for camping and the outdoors. Though he’s lived in Chicago since 2006, he’s always on the lookout for new adventures. He writes about travel and food for outlets like TripExpert, Money Inc, Upventur, DiningOut, Food Fanatics magazine, Plate Magazine and Zagat, and he currently serves as Chicago editor for What Should We Do?! He’s the author of The Hunt Guides: Chicago (2016) and Unique Eats & Eateries of Chicago (2017).
