Best Farmer's Market you've been to
I've always been a big fan of farmer's markets. There's something about being able to get food with that kind of freshness that can't be beat.
I've lived in North Carolina for 3 years now and have been really impressed by the State Farmer's Market they have in Raleigh. I've never seen one so big and comprehensive before! Such a wide variety of products and they even have a few restaurants on the grounds. Do any other states run their own farmer's markets? Where is your favorite one located and what makes it great?
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33 Comments:
I live in Raleigh too...just moved here about 3 months ago. I wasn't all that impressed with the State Farmers Market here. Are we talking about the same one? Near downtown? Maybe it's because I've only been in the dead of winter. They did have some nice little booths of soaps and jams and cakes, etc. I guess in the Spring and Summer is obviously when any Farmers Market will flourish.
Sara - Do you have any specific picks of what you like there so I can be on the lookout in the next few months? How's the seafood, if any??
arm1970 at 12:52PM on 03/02/09
Berkeley, CA, hands down (and I live in Brooklyn, so this isn't partisanship).
eleeb at 1:45PM on 03/02/09
I've only been to the DeKalb Farmer's (& World) Market in Atlanta. I fell instantly in love when I discovered I could get fresh steamers and oysters (nearly impossible to get mid-state otherwise).
juliebugsmama at 2:50PM on 03/02/09
The Ferry Building Market in San Francisco. That DeKalb Market reminds me of Rungis in Paris - you need vehicular transportation.
lemons at 3:04PM on 03/02/09
Minneapolis has a great Farmer's Market. It's huge and has a wide variety of things... I miss my weekend adventures there.
Alm25 at 4:00PM on 03/02/09
Ithaca Farmer's market. The actual produce selection is only good for a few months out of the year, but their prepared foods selection is amazing. Peanut Lime noodles from Macro Mama's might be my favorite food on the planet, no jokes. The setting is also very idyllic- right on the lake, and smartly covered to protect from the crazy Ithaca weather.
Embackus at 4:12PM on 03/02/09
@alm25: i'm totally familiar with minne's market...used to live in uptown. it was awesome-armfuls of fresh flowers for next to nothing and the most amazing produce..
nowadays, i'm lucky enough to have a tiny farmer's market right across the street from where i live during the summer. i feel like it's my very own private crop-lol.
gastronomeg at 4:27PM on 03/02/09
I like the Union Square Farmer's Market... it made me want to move back into NYC.
Madelyn
KarmaFreeCooking
MadelynRodriguez at 4:27PM on 03/02/09
Union Square Greenmarket. Get there early and listen to the chefs as they check out the offerings.
carvedinmarble at 4:39PM on 03/02/09
Pike Place Market - Seattle, WA - beautiful fish, fresh fruits and veges, also many vendors who sell hand made items + great restaurants and the original Starbucks store. When I lived in Atlanta, also liked to the Curb Market downtown - great for pig parts!!
butterscotchsq at 5:02PM on 03/02/09
@arm1970 - I've actually never been in the winter. I'd imagine that it wouldn't be as impressive then. If you go in May or June, especially on the weekend, it's always full of stands with a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. I've gotten some of the best peaches and strawberries I've ever eaten there. As for the seafood, while I've never bought any I've heard rave reviews from some people I work with. I know they have a seafood restaurant as well.
@Madelyn - I LOVE the Union Square Farmer's Market. I'm originally from that area. Only been a few times but it really sticks out in my mind.
Sara
Naturally Recommended
NaturallyRecommended at 5:08PM on 03/02/09
In Baltimore, I loved the Waverly farmers' market: open 52 weeks of the year, rain or shine, really friendly atmosphere and great produce. I've been pretty unhappy with the Cambridge, MA, markets, though. I know there are probably some good ones in Boston proper, but part of what was so great about my Baltimore market was being able to stroll over to it on Saturday mornings. Any suggestions?
annatr at 5:17PM on 03/02/09
I haven't been to very many but so far my favorites are Green City Market in Chicago and Seattle's Pike Place Market. I wrote about them both on my blog here and here.
Chew on That at 5:49PM on 03/02/09
well, i love my farmer's market in rhinebeck, ny because i have a table in it... i love doing the farmer's market ... getting to know the customers, getting the best of everything that is grown in our area.
but, i have to say that ITHACA has a great market. i was blown away by it. the choices of everything -- the surroundings, the lake, the crafts, the breakfast burrito's.... i loved it. i could spend days there.....
but if you're around woodstock, ny this summer, check it out.... it's pretty good also.
pooch at 7:07PM on 03/02/09
Duffields Farm Market in Southern Jersey about 20 miles outside of Philly
goldie725 at 7:35PM on 03/02/09
I live in Seattle and would say the Pike place Market is good but I have sound much better for what you get and the price. University Dist. Farmer's Market and the Fremont Farmers Market.
pjracz10 at 11:10PM on 03/02/09
My sister takes me to a farmer's market in Dupont Circle in Washington D.C. -- that's the best one I've been to so far. Like most markets, it has an array of vendors . . . arts & crafts, produce, baked goods, meat, cheese and other goods in a historic neighborhood. I love that we can take the Metro there.
Susquehanna at 9:11AM on 03/03/09
In Southern Ontario--it has to be St. Jacob's farmer's market. Just outside Kitchener-Waterloo it is surrounded by farm country and patronized by a large menonnite population. Lord, the preserves and the sausages and the fresh baked pies, and in August...it's magic, everything is in season, there are horse drawn carriage rides, a large out door and indoor market, plants, herbs...the whole nine yards. It's unbelievable.
BananaMonkey at 9:39AM on 03/03/09
I like the Union Square Greenmarket a lot, but like the Borough Market (in London) even more.
littlestcapy at 9:40AM on 03/03/09
@Naturally recommended & arm1970-
My mom swears by the Raleigh state farmers market. I don't know specifically which one that is, but she says there is a drive thru wholesale area, and at least one resturant on site. the way she describes it, that one might be a little too big for my tastes.
but i'm pretty partial to my local Kalamazoo Michigan farmers market. Small and impossible to find if you don't know what you're looking for, I love that i see the same people there time and tiem again, I can get organic nearly anything. it's my locavore happy place.
redhead at 1:07PM on 03/03/09
I'd like to second Borough Market in London.... I went there for the first time this summer.... wow... sorry.... WOW! un-freaking-believable is all I can say.
Pavlov at 1:35PM on 03/03/09
Another vote for Duffield's Farm Market, Greentree Road & Chapel Heights Road, between Turnersville & Glassboro, NJ. Produce and fresh baked goods. Also pick your own. Best strawberries and peaches I've ever tasted in my life. I was lucky enough to live very close when my children were young and shopped there nearly every day. It's what I miss most about South Jersey (besides my friends, of course).
PerkyMac at 1:47PM on 03/03/09
So many farmers markets. Love the Raleigh one. Love Lancaster Central market, Roots in Manheim and most of Lancaster county during growing season. In south jersey I used to go to Conte's in Medford. South Jersey way down south toward Cowtown is loaded with farmers markets.
The tristate area is just loaded with great farmers markets.
In Delaware the Newark Farmers market off and on depending on what was in season.
JerzeeTomato at 7:20PM on 03/03/09
freiberg, germany. so big i didn't even get to see half of it.
cybercita at 8:16PM on 03/03/09
Maui Mall in Kahului, HI.
They have a farmer's market almost every day somewhere on the island, though the ones on Kihei side are a bit overpriced.
Fresh Asian vegetables and local tropical fruits...
I love apple bananas.
hmw0029 at 9:52PM on 03/03/09
@redhead....Yay, another Kazoo'er! I've been in the area for over 20 years and have yet to stop at the Bank St. Market. *cringes*. I WILL make it there this year! I read in the Gazette that they have a farmer's market (albeit very small) at Bronson Hospital every other Friday until April sometime...have you been to that?
momobotx2 at 10:30PM on 03/03/09
Every one that I've been to in the Franceland has been great.
meg3j at 10:38PM on 03/03/09
I believe that the Pike Place Market is maybe the best anywhere for variety, character and the view! The wildest I've been to is an outdoor market in Bangkok that had some "scary" things for sale - spiders, etc.
witch at 1:56PM on 03/04/09
San Diego here. I've been to everyone they have to offer. The one in La Jolla at the elementry school on Sundays is by far the best. Its the largest and best set up.
** The Solana Beach one is also pretty good too. It is tiny, but it packs a punch.
ChefJeffSD at 2:20PM on 03/04/09
@Embackus - I can't wait for the Ithaca market. I am a senior in highschool in NC and will being going to Cornell next year. I made a quick trip to the market while I was up there this past summer and wish I had had more time to look around. What are some of your other favorites? Ithaca favorites to eat?
mikemcl55 at 2:40PM on 03/04/09
I have to say the best farmer's market I've ever been to is a bit unconventional, but still the best IMHO: Rue Cler in Paris. It's a narrow, pedestrian-only street lined with farmers and vendors selling their goods in small storefronts and carts. There are several different produce vendors with overflowing wooden boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables, a storefront that sells homemade honey and related honeyied products, friendly cheese mongers who jump at the chance to tell you the story behind each cheese, and numerous bakeries and chocolate shops. It was heaven.
laurelie at 3:00PM on 03/04/09
@mikemcl55, Congrats on Cornell! I just graduated in May. Pretty much anything you eat at the Farmer's Market is great, but my favorites are: Peanut Noodles from Macro Mama's, breakfast burritos, Samosas from the Indian place, and ice cream (not sure if this guy is around anymore- he had an ice cream truck). I firmly maintain that Ithaca has the best breakfast anywhere. Once you get sick of dining hall food (Risley has the best dinner, btw), head to CTB (of course), ABC cafe for omelets & breakfast burritos, the Carriage House for Brie stuffed french toast and homefries with amazing homemade ketchup, and Stella's for omelets and excellent coffee (or mimosas:) Other places to hit are: The Moosewood Cafe (classic), The Thai Cuisine (across from Wegman's) for seriously amazing Thai food, and make your parents take you to The Heights Cafe or John Thomas. Enjoy!
Embackus at 4:27PM on 03/04/09
P.S. Moosewood serves the ice cream made by the guy who used to sell at the Farmer's market. It's very much worth saving room for dessert. Also, if you want to avoid the crowds, go for the Thursday (I think) market.
Embackus at 4:53PM on 03/04/09