// By Amber Gibson
By Amber Gibson
Photo courtesy of CUESA
Farmers' markets are a great way to shop local
Farmers' markets are the heart of a city's culinary pulse, where chefs get inspiration for seasonal specials and where diners can connect with the tireless farmers growing their food. Support local agriculture and taste the bestfresh produce and artisan foods at these 10 awesome farmers' markets across the country.
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Photo courtesy of Green City Market
Green City Market | Chicago, Illinois
Since 2008, Green City Market has been Chicago's largest and only year-round farmers' market with a mission of supporting local farmers and sustainable agricultural practices. From May through October, the market is outdoors in Lincoln Park every Wednesday and Saturday from 7 am-1 pm. You'll find many of Chicago's top chefs making the rounds for inspiration for their seasonal menus. Along with honey, maple syrup and a colorful array of produce, including heirloom varieties you won't find in grocery stores, try Gayle V's Best Ever Grilled Cheeseand wash down your sandwich with Arize Kombucha.
Photo courtesy of C2 Photography
Aspen Saturday Market | Colorado
Aspen Saturday Market was established in 1998 and occupies three square blocks of downtown Aspen on Saturdays from mid-June until mid-October. Around a dozen farmers from Aspen to Palisade and Paonia participate, along with wineries, bakeries, cheesemakers and Marble Distilling. Try the beet and horseradish flavored cheese fromJumpin Good Goat Dairy, farm-to-bar dark chocolate from Fiji at Bolea Chocolate, and dehydrated organic fruits and veggies at Aspen Crunch, a company created by high school students. There are a lot of offerings beyond food as well, including locally made arts and crafts, from glass and leather goods to hats.
Photo courtesy of Amber Gibson
South of the James Market | Richmond, Virginia
Richmond's producer-only South of the James Marketruns year-round on Saturdays in Forest Hill Park showcasing nearly a hundred vendors including farmers, food producers and artisans. Along with fruits, veggies, eggs and meat, there are breakfast sandwiches, quinoa bowls and baked goods to snack on. Cool off with heirloom apple cider or cold brew kombucha to drink, plus a scoop of honey lavender goat's milk ice cream.
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Photo courtesy of Bill Bowen
Eastern Market | Detroit, Michigan
As one of the country's oldest and largest year-round farmers markets, Eastern Marketboasts more than 200 market vendors spread out across five sheds every Saturday, even spilling over into outdoor areas in summer. Michigan cherries, juicy peaches, jewel-like blueberries and heaps of sweet corn greet you throughout the summer, and the prepared foods and snacks are excellent too. Try Dancy's Fancy Butter, stoneground bean-to-bar Ecuadorian chocolate from Mindo Chocolateand innovative bonbons from Bon Bon Bon. Visit Germackacross the street for the best roasted nuts and nut butters in the city. In the summer, there's also a Sunday craft and artisan market and Thursday night market for food, drinks, music, art and shopping.
Photo courtesy of Amanda Lynn Photography
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market | San Francisco, California
The Ferry Plaza Farmers Marketon the San Francisco waterfront has been around since 1993 – a decade before the indoor marketplace shops opened. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, farmers and food crafters gather year-round (rain or shine) to share a bounty of Bay Area deliciousness. Saturdays get the biggest turnout, including free cooking demos by local chefs, and in peak summer season, there are more than 100 vendors.
Photo courtesy of Focal Flame Photography
Dane County Farmers' Market | Madison, Wisconsin
Dane County Farmers' Marketis the largest producers-only market in the country, founded in 1972 and operating each summer around Capitol Square in Madison, Wisconsin. Expect ample world-class cheeses and cheese curds, with lots of opportunities for sampling. While the market has approximately 265 members, visitors will find 130-150 vendors on any given Saturday. Snack on hot and spicy cheese bread fromStella's Bakery and look for favorite vendors likeMarsden's Pure Honey, Brunkow Cheese andHarmony Valley Farm.
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Photo courtesy of Boulder Convention & Visitors Bureau
Boulder County Farmers Market | Colorado
From professional farmers with hundreds of acres to backyard gardeners and hobbyists, all are welcome to sell directly to the public on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings to a soundtrack of live music at the Boulder County Farmers Market. Along with unique produce like seedless yellow watermelon, white eggplant, purple beans and golden beets, you'll find honey, farm-fresh eggs, roasted chilies, flowers, chocolate and prepared food and drink. Farmers from Western Slope orchards make the trip each week to share tree-ripened fruits and you can buy pork, charcuterie and produce from Eric Skokan of Black Cat, who is both a chef and farmer.
Photo courtesy of Marni MacLean Karro
Hope Street Farmers Market | Providence, Rhode Island
In Providence, Rhode Island, the Hope Street Farmers Marketruns May through October on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings in Lippitt Memorial Park with 48 full-time and four guest vendors. There's organic produce, freshly-caught seafood, flowers, locally roasted coffee, small-batch cheese and pasture-raised meat. Try not to get caught on a dog leash as you sip a juice from Fully Rooted featuring cold-pressed produce from many of the surrounding vendors.
Photo courtesy of Lanessa Pierce
Rogue Valley Growers Market | Oregon
For more than 30 years, the Rogue Valley Growers Market has been a small but mighty market in Southern Oregon, traveling between Medford's beautifully renovated Hawthorne Park (Thursdays, March–November) and Ashland (Tuesdays and Saturdays) with up to 80 stalls on the weekend. The outdoor market runs from March through November with a winter Thursday market from November through February. Market-goers will find a bounty of locally grown and handcrafted food, master gardeners, non-profit booths, buskers and Mikey the Balloon Man for entertainment. There's plenty of grassy area to lay down a blanket and enjoy a market picnic.
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Photo courtesy of Visit Philadelphia
Headhouse Farmers' Market | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Of the more than 20 farmers markets in Philadelphia operated by The Food Trust, Headhouse Farmers Market is the largest outdoor market in the city, located under an early 1800s market shed with a headhouse known as The Shambles in Society Hill. A special guest rings the opening bell each Sunday morning and the party begins, with more than 40 fresh food, flower and artisan craft vendors, live music and a photo booth.
About Amber Gibson
Amber Gibson spends350 nights a year in hotels searching for the latest and greatest in the travel industry. Her writing and photographs have appeared in print, online, and on the radio for outlets including Forbes,National Geographic Traveler, Departures,Four Seasons Magazine, Conde Nast Traveller,NPR, Saveur, Departures, Rhapsody, Hemispheres, American Way, Private Air,and Serious Eats. She graduated as valedictorian from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and received a fellowship to attend the 2017 Wine Writers Symposium at Meadowood Napa Valley. Champagne, dark chocolate and gelato are her biggest weaknesses.
Read more about Amber Gibson here.
Connect with Amber via: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
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As a seasoned enthusiast with a profound understanding of farmers' markets and the local culinary scene, I've delved into countless markets across the United States, exploring the intricacies of each one. My firsthand experiences and in-depth knowledge allow me to guide you through the vibrant tapestry of these agricultural hubs, where farmers, artisans, and chefs converge to create a unique and enriching experience.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts presented in the article by Amber Gibson, dated September 14, 2019, where she showcases 10 remarkable farmers' markets across the country.
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Green City Market | Chicago, Illinois:
- Established: Since 2008.
- Attributes: Chicago's largest and only year-round farmers' market with a focus on supporting local farmers and sustainable agricultural practices.
- Noteworthy: Features top chefs seeking inspiration for seasonal menus, offering diverse produce, honey, maple syrup, and artisan foods.
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Aspen Saturday Market | Colorado:
- Established: In 1998.
- Location: Occupies three square blocks of downtown Aspen on Saturdays from mid-June until mid-October.
- Diversity: Showcases around a dozen farmers, wineries, bakeries, cheesemakers, and Marble Distilling, along with locally made arts and crafts.
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South of the James Market | Richmond, Virginia:
- Nature: A producer-only market running year-round on Saturdays in Forest Hill Park.
- Variety: Showcases nearly a hundred vendors, including farmers, food producers, and artisans, offering fruits, veggies, eggs, meat, breakfast sandwiches, quinoa bowls, and baked goods.
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Eastern Market | Detroit, Michigan:
- Legacy: One of the country's oldest and largest year-round farmers markets, dating back to 1891.
- Scale: Boasts over 200 market vendors spread across five sheds every Saturday, offering Michigan cherries, juicy peaches, blueberries, sweet corn, and a variety of prepared foods.
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Ferry Plaza Farmers Market | San Francisco, California:
- History: Established in 1993 on the San Francisco waterfront.
- Schedule: Operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays year-round, with a significant turnout on Saturdays, featuring over 100 vendors and free cooking demos by local chefs.
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Dane County Farmers' Market | Madison, Wisconsin:
- Scale: The largest producers-only market in the country, founded in 1972.
- Offerings: Features world-class cheeses, cheese curds, and approximately 130-150 vendors on any given Saturday, including hot and spicy cheese bread from Stella's Bakery.
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Boulder County Farmers Market | Colorado:
- Inclusivity: Welcomes professional farmers, backyard gardeners, and hobbyists to sell directly to the public.
- Product Range: Offers unique produce, honey, farm-fresh eggs, roasted chilies, flowers, chocolate, and prepared food and drink.
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Hope Street Farmers Market | Providence, Rhode Island:
- Season: Runs May through October on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings in Lippitt Memorial Park.
- Diverse Vendors: Features 48 full-time and four guest vendors offering organic produce, seafood, flowers, locally roasted coffee, small-batch cheese, and pasture-raised meat.
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Rogue Valley Growers Market | Oregon:
- Duration: Operating for more than 30 years in Southern Oregon, with locations in Medford and Ashland.
- Character: A small but mighty market with up to 80 stalls on the weekend, offering locally grown and handcrafted food, master gardeners, non-profit booths, buskers, and entertainment.
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Headhouse Farmers' Market | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
- Size: The largest outdoor market in Philadelphia, operated by The Food Trust.
- Location: Situated under an early 1800s market shed with a headhouse known as The Shambles in Society Hill.
- Attractions: Boasts more than 40 fresh food, flower, and artisan craft vendors, live music, and a photo booth.