Summer is the time to grab your tote bags and head to the best U.S. farmers’ markets. These hot spots are perfect to find the best squeaky green zucchinis, rambunctious leafy greens, and delectable local foods.
Whether you pop down to your neighborhood market every week or make a special trip into the city every month, strolling the colorful lanes of a farmers market is a summertime rite of passage. Shop for ripe berries, juicy peaches, and fresh corn. How about a chocolate-stuffed pastry or a slice of artisan cheddar? Breathe deep the aromas of dark-roast coffee and check out the street performers.
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Slow Down & Shop
Slowing down to savor the market experience and talk with merchants touches a deep nostalgia. It provides a much-needed antidote for the zip-zip efficiency of modern life. Are you ready to check out the best U.S. farmers’ markets? Slip on your comfy shoes – and don’t forget to grab a bouquet on your way out.
1. Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
Shop for unique specialty items and wild ingredients at Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, a beloved indoor/outdoor market in San Francisco. Pick up some Nepalese dumplings, duck eggs, and pomelos from the South Pacific. The market is open three days, and each has a different theme: organic produce on Tuesday, artisanal street food on Thursday, and local celebrity chef sightings on Saturday. Enjoy a stroll along the Embarcadero after your shopping adventure.
2. Pike Place Market
Seattle’s famous waterfront market, Pike Place Market, is popular for it’s fishmongers who fling their products through the air. But you’ll also find a dazzling array of produce, flowers, and handmade crafts. Chat with farmers and watch chef demonstrations. Pack a picnic basket full of foraged mushrooms, sweet huckleberries, and cinnamon rolls hot out of the oven.
3. TD Saturday Market
Want incredibly local produce that is within 100 miles of the city? Then head to TD Saturday Market, located in downtown Greenville, South Carolina. Live music and cooking demonstrations add to the festive, friendly atmosphere. Shop for chow chow relish, just-baked banana bread, and garlic dill kimchi. Heirloom tomatoes and organic microgreens abound. Get there early if you want to snag the fresh-made pasta.
4. Davis Farmers Market
Discover fruits and vegetables that are fresher than fresh at this sprawling market, Davis Farmers Market, which is located right on the cusp of California’s agricultural heart. The seller grows and makes everything that you see. Plus, there’s great representation for eco-friendly farms and family-owned operations. Load up on shiny organic produce, local honey, and farmstead cheese – and be sure to try a gourmet popsicle.
5. Portland Farmers Market
Located at Portland State University, Portland Farmers Market is a hipster farmers market that features 140 booths and a focus on small-batch, handcrafted local foods. Buy regional treats like marionberries and free-range bison meat. Find drool-worthy organic crepes, locally cured bacon, and steaming hot tamales.
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