It’s farmers market season!

Did you know that there are currently over 8700 farmers markets in the United States, with over 40,000 vendors? While some 20% of them stay open year-round, most are starting to open right now, and for those of us already in the loop, it’s the best season of the year.

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The produce is fresh, tomatoes are juicy, and everyone wants to spend their weekends enjoying a treat outdoors. People are in a better mood; you see the same familiar faces and rediscover your community. And while getting fresh produce might be a common reason to go, there is so much more to get there.

While most farmers markets do offer fruits and vegetables, these make up, on average, only 27% of the products showcased in American stalls.[1] Depending on your location, at a farmers market you can also get dairy, meat, seafood, eggs, preserves, bread and pastries, honey, maple syrup, nuts, mushrooms, and pickles.

The many options don’t end here. Need a housewarming gift? You will probably find plants, both in pots and as freshly cut flowers. A family birthday coming up? You can support your local artisans, as farmers markets often sell crafts and beauty products, too.

As a place for reinforcing community services, local governments have taken advantage of farmers markets as gathering places, bringing educational activities to reinforce nutrition and general well-being. Notably, many farmers markets participate in food assistance programs (the largest being SNAP), resulting in fresher more accessible produce for people in need.

A pleasure yet to be discovered

Us in the loop are still few! A recent study found that out of a nationally representative sample of over 5000 people, only about 8% go to a farmers market at least once a month. Half of the respondents go less than 6 times a year, and a common reason cited for not attending was simply forgetting about them.[2]

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Some might express concern about more expensive produce. However, the researchers also found that the average expense is not high, with 71,57% of surveyed attendees indicating their usual range of spending between $10 and $50. On average, products sourced within a 100-mile radius of a market’s location[3], so you can be sure that you are supporting your local community.

So, what are you waiting for? Look up your closest farmers market on this directory and bring your friends and family into a fun, dynamic environment. Get your groceries, discover your community and help the local economy thrive!

See you at the farmers market!

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[1] USDA. 2019 National Farmers Market Manager Survey. General Characteristics and Market Practices.

[2] Witzling, L., Shaw, B. R., & Wolnik, D. (2025). U.S. farmers market attendance and experiences: Descriptive results from a national survey. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 14(1), 227–249. https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2025.141.017

[3] NRPA. (2019). Farmers markets. Parks and Recreation Connecting Communities to Healty Foods.