Tuesdays & Thursdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Saturdays 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ferry Building Marketplace
One Ferry Building
www.cuesa.org
This market is a mecca for San Francisco’s foodie community. As the unofficial birthplace of modern farming, San Francisco’s famed market boasts 120 stands of small, organic farms and innovative prepared food vendors. The bonus of this market is you can pick up a few “extras” from one of the many cool permanent vendors, such as Cowgirl Creamery’s Artisan Cheese Shop, located in the Ferry Building.
One of the oldest and most famous farmers markets gets its fair share of LA’s well known chefs shopping for their menus. This market is also known for its partnership with local schools and its Farmers Market Salad Bar Program. Schools place their orders with the farmers at the Wednesday and Saturday markets to provide an alternative option to hot lunch.
Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturdays, 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Capitol Square
*check web site for complete list of year round dates, times and locations.
www.dcfm.org
Madison’s food-conscious community embraces this market with 160 plus stands occupied by great local purveyors and Wisconsin farmers. Market-goers have access to 12 kinds of meat including emu, trout, bison, rabbit, duck, and goose. But the selection of world-class cheese makers keeps this market shining. Check out Willi Lehner from Bleu Mont Dairy. Following in his father’s cheese-crafting footsteps, Willi built his own aging caves.
Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
South end of Lincoln Park between Clark and Stockton Drive
(approximately 1790 N. Clark)
www.greencitymarket.org
Chicago’s Green City Market is really something to experience. The market’s success is driven by the cumulative support of farmers, chefs, the community and more. This market goes beyond the fruit and veggie stands and offer programs from chef demonstrations (Green City is highly supported by well know Chicago chefs), tasting program for kids, an edible garden for kids and educational support for farmers. Use the robust web site as your guide and make this a frequent family outing.
This year-round market is devoted exclusively to Washington State farmers and small food businesses. The Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance (NFMA) is a community-based, non-profit organization which operates seven farmer/food only markets in Seattle neighborhoods. Check out Jarvis Organics’ ten varieties of organic garlic or Loki Fish Co’s wild caught salmon then grab Salvadorian papousas for lunch from Lily’s Salvadorean Catering in the “Market Bites” area next door.
Saturdays, 8 a.m. – noon
Corner of Magazine Street and Girod Street.
*If it rains, look for the market inside the big building adjacent to the parking lot.
www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org/
Locavores delight in this Louisiana-centric market where shoppers will find the best in fresh, locally grown produce, seafood, baked goods and much more. Local favorites include Cajun tomatoes, Satsumas oranges, stone ground grits and local seafood such as wild catfish, alligator, soft-shell crabs, crabmeat, alligator, crawfish, and turtle meat. Cresent city puts a high priority on revitalizing the downtown area and succeeded by bringing in a crowd each Saturday.
Just like the music scene, Austin is getting quite the reputation for its food scene. And the local farmers markets are not exception. Austin restaurant star, Rene Ortiz of La Condesa frequents this market. “My favorite vendor at the market has to be Daniel from Specialize Plant Sales. He has provided me with wonderful trees and succulents. As far as veggies, I go to the lovely people at Urban Roots. And, Dai Due is a super food vendor that serves hard to find items.” Ortiz continues, “One of the best reasons I love the market is it social content, I can meet and greet so many wonderful people and make great connections.”
New York Cities Greenmarket boasts a sophisticated network of farmers markets. The website is chock-full of impressive city-wide programs for recycling, education, school-wide initiatives and more. Union Square Green market is the flagship market. Located in the bustling public square, the energy level is high with city dwellers shopping the bounties of the local farms, bakeries and other specialty local goodies.
This market has a rich history dating back to 1768. Fast forward almost 250 years, the Portland Farmers Market hold true to its tradition of vendors that are producer only and Maine-grown products. In addition to the usual wares, Portland market-goers will find rare and heirloom produce from Green Spark Farm, certified organic raw dairy & dairy product from Balfour Farm or organic pork, and lacto-fermented vegetables from Thirty Acre Farm.
The Coconut Grove market is produced by local outfit, Glaser Organic Farms. Most of the items sold are grown on their land, but they feature other local farms as well. This Certified Organic Farm specializes in tropical fruits such as mango, papaya, lychees, bananas, avocados, rare and exotic tropicals, winter vegetables and herbs. But they are known for their prepared raw vegan products including pestos, dressings, pies, ice creams and so much more.