12 of the Biggest (and Best) U.S. Farmers' Markets

Capital City Farmers Market
Montpelier, Vt.

Specialty and small farms (there's one that just grows berries!) are the highlights of this 30-year-old market. The market's 40-plus vendors carry Vermont staples such as maple syrup, cheese and meat, as well as items Vermont is not (yet) known for, like wine and hot sauce. The market is open on Saturdays from May through October.

Don't Miss: The strawberry shortcake fundraiser in the Spring, or the squash tasting demo October 9.

Try: Berries and Cream Shortcake

Union Square Greenmarket
New York, N.Y.

Manhattan might be the last place you associate with farms, but four days a week all year round, more than 140 farmers and vendors make their way to the city to sell chefs, locals and tourists apples (it's not called the Big Apple for nothing), leafy greens, rooftop honey and many more local delights.

Don't Miss: A shot of wheatgrass juice or a button of goat cheese.

Try: Goat Cheese and Arugula Sandwiches

Dane County Farmers' Market on the Square
Madison, Wis.

Even during the long, cold, winters, Wisconsinites want to eat local. So, they go to the Dane County Farmers' Market, the largest producer-only market in the United States. On Saturdays and Wednesdays, locals can pick up what's fresh, from corn, eggplant and meat to Wisconsin's famous cheeses.

Don't Miss: The Winter Market Breakfast for only $7 – and the cheesy bread.

Try: Pasta with Four Cheeses and Tomato

Downtown Des Moines Farmers' Market
Des Moines, Iowa

The place to see and be seen in Des Moines every Saturday from May through October is this farmers' market. A typical Saturday brings 200 farmers selling Iowa's famous corn, of course, in addition to everything from kohlrabi to goat meat.

Don't Miss: The pastries or corn on the cob to snack on while wandering the market.

Try: Summertime Sweet Corn Fritters

Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market
Washington, D.C.

At one hot spot in D.C. it doesn't matter whom you voted for, only what you're planning to make for dinner. Every Sunday all year long, Washingtonians get local meat, bread, pasta, veggies, fruit and more from the 30-plus farmers and vendors selling at the market.

Don't Miss: The area's famous crab cakes or some locally made feta cheese.

Try: Nora Pouillon's Crab and Shiitake Cakes

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
San Francisco, Calif.

San Francisco restaurants have a passion for figs, and this is where many of the city's chefs get those delicious fruits, as well as mushrooms, olives (and olive oils), Meyer lemons and other fresh California produce. The nearly 90 vendors are at Ferry Plaza on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Don't Miss: The locally roasted coffee and a variety of Asian snacks.

Try: Poached Figs, Apricots and Cherries

Portland Farmers' Market
Deering Oaks Park, Portland, Maine

The pride that Maine residents feel for their market probably stems from its deep roots. The government established the official "Portland Farmers' Market" in 1917. Modern shoppers can pick up fruits, veggies, meat and eggs from the 30-plus growers and producers selling their goodies on Saturdays from May through November.

Don't Miss: Maine's famous blueberries or one of a variety of fermented and pickled vegetables.

Try: Yogurt Cake with Blueberry Sauce

Portland Farmers Market at PSU
Portland, Oregon

What is about Portlands that makes them perfect for produce and fantastic farmers' markets? This market caters to Oregon's foodies at Portland State University's parking lot every Saturday from March to December. A typical Saturday boasts nearly 200 growers and farmers selling local delights like raspberries, yak meat, a wide variety of mushrooms, local beers and olive oil.

Don't Miss: Fresh-caught crab.

Try: Dungeness Crab and Mussel Chowder

St. Paul Downtown Farmers' Market
Saint Paul, Minn.

The 160-plus stalls at this market are all local — very local. The furthest farm is 75 miles away from the city. Locavore shoppers come downtown on Saturdays from April to November, and Sundays all year, to pick up melons, pumpkins, poultry and more.

Don't Miss: Artisanal cheeses.

Try: Heirloom Pumpkin with Blue Cheese Crostata

University District Farmers Market
Seattle, Wash.

The tourists might go to the famous Pike Place Market, but the locals (and the local farmers and chefs) are at the University District Farmers Market. On Saturdays, more than 50 farmers sell delicacies like fiddlehead ferns, raw cow and sheep's milk cheeses and Mangalitsa pork (a special breed of long-haired pig), as well as market staples like mushrooms, peppers and free-range eggs.

Don't Miss: The 30 different varieties of apples with names like Cox's Orange Pippin and Prairie Spy. (Washington grows more apples than any other U.S. state.)

Try: Apple Cranberry Crumble

Barton Creek Farmers Market
Austin, Texas

Previously known as the Sunset Valley Farmers Market, this market has a new name but the same great produce. Every Saturday, Texans pick up seasonal and local goods like okra, avocados, peaches, peppers, black-eyed peas and bison meat.

Don't Miss: Baked goods from the Village Baker, refreshing homemade lemonade or fruity iced tea.

Try: Fresh Tomato and Avocado Soup

Santa Fe Farmers' Market
Santa Fe, N.M.

This market is ultra-local — farmers must be from one of the 15 counties in northern New Mexico (around Santa Fe), and farmers and producers must sell their produce directly. Additionally, processed foods must contain 80% locally grown ingredients. Two days a week (four in the summer), folks pick up their very local squash, berries, yak meat, heirloom tomatoes and many varieties of peppers, among other goodies, from more than 100 vendors.

Don't Miss: Dried peppers and jujubes.

Try: Poblanos Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Shrimp