2012 Farmers' Market Guide
Below is a list of 12 farmers' markets within a 10-mile radius of Downtown Milwaukee. If you plan on visiting one, you might want to phone first or check the market's website to learn about what produce is in season and what's on the market's agenda that week.
East Side Green Market
1901 E. North Ave. (Beans & Barley parking lot)
Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
June 16-Oct. 13
414-502-9489
www.theeastside.org/categories/10-green-market
New this year, ESGM will feature more ready-to-eat foods, including popcorn and gourmet sliders. Many artist vendors will change from week to week, making for a fresh selection of crafts, clothing and one-of-a-kind pieces.
East Town Market
Corner of Kilbourn & Jefferson (Cathedral Square Park)
Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 2-Oct. 6
414-271-1416
Vendors galore come to this large Downtown market. Weekly entertainment includes free yoga and live music.
Fondy Farmers' Market
2200 W. Fond du Lac Ave.
Open four days a week from July to October and on Saturdays in May, June and November (see website for specific hours)
414-933-8121
Fondy offers a range of Wisconsin-grown fruits and vegetables from as many as 30 vendors, as well as prepared foods, arts and crafts, cooking demonstrations, children's activities and entertainment on Saturdays. FFM accepts SNAP Cards, WIC and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program vouchers for all of its products, including starter plants.
Fox Point Farmers' Market
7300 N. Lombardy Road (Stormonth School)
Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
June 16-Oct. 13
414-352-0555
In addition to weekly entertainment and chef demos, the market will feature special giveaways and events throughout the summer.
Garden District Farmers' Market
Sixth Street and Norwich Avenue
Saturdays, 1-4 p.m.
June 23-Oct. 20
At the northern entrance to Milwaukee's newly designated "Green Corridor" on South Sixth Street, this market is part of a larger project to transform an underutilized stretch of land into a beautiful, environmentally friendly community asset with vegetable garden plots, a public composting area, a green-roofed amphitheater for community events, and a brick-paved farmers' market.
Hartung Park Farmers' Market
Hartung Park (Menomonee River Parkway and Keefe Street)
Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m.
June 13-Sept. 19
414-535-1392
The HPFM was founded in 2010. Each week, four to five family farmers sell vegetables, fruits and cut flowers. There is also weekly music and a nearby playground for kids. This year the market will add a chair-massage booth and a soap maker.
Riverwest Gardeners' Market
Garden Park (Bremen and Locust streets)
Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
June 17-Oct. 28
414-367-9389
The people of Riverwest have been running their own farmers' market for almost 20 years. The market offers live music in addition to produce and handicrafts.
South Shore Farmers' Market
2900 S. Shore Drive (South Shore Park)
Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
June 16-Oct. 13 (no market July 14)
414-640-4411
www.southshorefarmersmarket.com
Bay View's popular farmers' market includes roughly 40 vendors. The market also features community demonstrations and local music.
Tosa Farmers' Market
7720 Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa (Wauwatosa Village)
Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon
June 2-Oct. 13
This growing market's aim is to promote local food, community health and environmental sustainability. New this year is the monthly "Makers Market," featuring the work of local artists on the first Saturday of each month.
Vliet Street Community Green Market
4420 W. Vliet St. (in front of the Washington Park Senior Center)
Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
June 17-Oct. 14
414-344-1818
Located in the Martin Drive neighborhood of western Milwaukee, Vliet Street Community Green Market has been open since 2007. New this year, kids can enjoy weekly arts and crafts activities at the market.
West Allis Farmers' Market
6501 W. National Ave., West Allis
Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon-6 p.m.
Saturdays, 1-6 p.m.
May 5-Nov. 24
414-302-8600
www.ci.west-allis.wi.us/health
West Allis' long-running producer-only farmers' market is one of the biggest in the area, operating three afternoons a week. The season opens with the sale of annuals, vegetable seedlings, herbs and spring fruits and vegetables. Offerings expand as a greater variety of produce comes into season.
Westown Farmers' Market
Zeidler Union Square (Michigan Street between Third and Fourth streets)
Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (no market July 4)
June 6-Oct. 31
414-276-6696
Downtown Milwaukee's largest and oldest outdoor market has been operating for more than 25 years. The market typically features 50-75 vendors each week.
Other Milwaukee County farmers' markets operate in Cudahy, Brown Deer, Fox Point, Greendale, Hales Corners, Oak Creek, Franklin and South Milwaukee. For more information about local farmers' markets throughout the state, go to www.farmfreshatlas.org. And when our winds blow cold, don't forget about Milwaukee's winter markets, including Milwaukee County Winter Farmers' Market at State Fair Park (www.mcwfm.org), St. Ann Center Indoor Farmers' Market in Milwaukee (www.stanncenter.org/Farmersmarket) and Westown Winter Market (www.westown.org).
Comments