Did you know it’s National Farmer’s Market Week? I didn’t but a shout out to my friend Phil for the text to tell me about it.
(Side note – I appreciate blog post ideas from friends and when it’s from a guy friend, that’s classic. Thanks Phil!)
I go to the market nearly every weekend and am fortunate that Madison has a year-round market. Granted the pickings are slim in the Winter, but you can still buy greens and a few goodies. But when Spring rolls around and the first crops are popping up and color overflows at the market stalls, I’m a happy camper. When I lived in Milwaukee I’d visit the West Allis Farmers Market – the Saturday market starts at 2pm giving farmers an opportunity to pick crops in the morning and bring them straight to the market. Fresh, fresh, fresh!
The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture declared this week Farmers Market Week as a way to bring awareness to the benefits of the markets. The proclamation states:
WHEREAS farmers markets are important outlets for agricultural producers nationwide, providing them with increased marketing opportunities; and
WHEREAS thousands of farmers markets across the country offer consumers fresh, affordable, convenient, and healthful products sold directly from the farm; and
WHEREAS farmers markets play a key role in developing local and regional food systems that support the sustainability of family farms, revitalize communities, and provide opportunities for farmers and consumers to interact.
On the way to the Market
Some people go to the Saturday market for produce, some people go for coffee and hot cheese bread (really). You can probably guess which group I’m in! Farmers market shopping has always been something I’ve enjoyed. I remember going with my grandparents when I was little and I’d always take a few minutes to run out of my office in Chicago to buy fresh goods during the week at one of the downtown markets.
Need to find a market near you? Use the USDA National Farmers Market Directory and go visit a farmer.
What’s fresh at your local market?
Apples and Arteries 
Thanks for letting me know about this! I love supporting local farmer’s markets. Their produce is just so much better and cheaper!
I love farmer’s markets!!! I have a full 2 pages of the ones in the Denver area and go whenever i can!
I was JUST in Madison yesterday for work and talking about how I want to go to the farmer’s market there. It’s definitely on my to-do list, maybe in Sept?
Wahhhhht!? Why was I not aware of this occasion?! Well clearly I know what I’m doing on Saturday then 😉
I was just at the Madison Farmer’s Market last Saturday. I loved it!! I am planning on a monthly visit as I live in the suburbs of Chicago. I have told everyone what a wonderful day it was. Along with the market, there was a craft fair, food vendors and street performers.
We have a couple here and I feel bad because I rarely ever remember to get up and go on Saturday morning.