Farmers markets are more than just vegetable stands—they’re special occasions.
Whether you’re heading to your favorite neighborhood for an out-of-the-ordinary Saturday morning or browsing your block for that special ingredient, farmers markets bring people together under the summer sun. Plus, who doesn’t get a smile from supporting local makers of all kinds?
From artisan cheeses and rustic breads to handmade soaps and handpicked flowers, find foods and goods to delight all your senses—and sense of community—at one of these farmers markets in Minnesota.
1. Mill City Farmers Market
When: Saturdays 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: 750 S 2nd St. (by Gold Medal Park)
Neighboring the iconic Guthrie Theater, each summer Saturday, the Mill City Farmers Market becomes bustling with city slickers. Shoppers leave the Downtown East nieghborhood with bushels of handcrafted breads, chocolates, jams, spice blends, and even veggie ferments—plus a bounty of leafy greens and juicy fruits.
The Mill City Farmers Market draws crowds for more than its grocery selection. Sun-soaked outdoor yoga classes hosted by some of Minneapolis’ most beloved studios take place each Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., and live chef demos happen on the first and third Saturdays of the month at 10 a.m.
2. St. Paul Farmers Market
When: Saturdays 7 a.m.-1 p.m. and Sundays 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Downtown St. Paul (free parking at 420 Prince St. E)
Dozens of vendors set up along the Mississippi in downtown St. Paul each Saturday and Sunday morning for this favorite local farmers market. Besides fruits and veggies, browse the pavilion of the St. Paul Farmers Market for popcorn, salsa, fresh meats, macarons, tortillas, and much more.
Since 1854, the St. Paul Farmers Market has convened local growers and artisans, and everything sold at the market is produced within a 100-mile radius of St. Paul.
3. Rochester Farmers Market
When: Saturdays 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Where: Graham Park
At the Rochester Farmers Market, the community gathers each Saturday to shop for produce and plants, listen to live music, post up for picnics, and nosh on wood-fired pizza. This well-loved, well-attended farmers market is a must for the people of Olmsted County!
4. Civic Center Farmers Market
When: Thursdays 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Where: Across from the Duluth St. Louis County Courthouse
The Civic Center Farmers Market is much more than a vegetable stand. In fact, vegetables are just the supporting actors to the many craftspeople and makers who are the stars of the market.
True to North Shore form, you’ll find ceramics at the market—alongside serene home goods like soaps and candles, crafts and jewelry, plus maple syrup and cheese. There will be plenty of hot food vendors to choose from, too, including a gumbo truck and a coffee trailer.
Unique wares make this Duluth market especially charming. Visit on Thursdays to the tune of different musical performances each week.
5. Fergus Falls Farmers Market
When: Tuesdays 12 p.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Riverfront Pavilion
Homegrown is the name of the game at the Fergus Falls Farmers Market, happening on Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the summer. With a strong local emphasis, the thoughtfully curated vendors at the market run the gamut from edible goods to handmade items.
Ruth’s Specialties has supplied the market with canned goods and sweet treats for more than a decade. Wild Bread Sourdough has every kind of bread you could possibly need—from English muffins and bagels to pizza dough and sourdough pastries. New to town, Lone Pine Soup Co. will be serving up soups, salads, and sandwiches on select days.
Come for the veggies, stay for sweets and crafts that are the backbone of this market!
6. Grand Rapids Farmers Market
When: Wednesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: 11 Golf Course Road
Browse fruits, veggies, meats, sweets, and more, produced by farmers in northern Minnesota at the Grand Rapids Farmers Market. Frequent visitors say the selection is wonderful at peak season, love the fresh-baked breads and pastries, and turn up for the popular, tasty taco truck.
7. Duluth Farmers Market
When: Wednesdays 2 p.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Where: At the corner of 14th Ave E. and 3rd St.
The Duluth Farmers Market is open Wednesdays and Saturdays in a big red barn just up the street from Positively 3rd Street Bakery. Farmers and veg-heads have frequented the summer market there for more than 70 years, making it a Duluth tradition.
The market maintains its old-world charm with homemade goods like jams, syrups, and body creams, plus grandma-approved bakery items. Locals say it’s cute, old-fashioned, and has good community vibes.
8. Red Wing Farmers Market
When: Saturdays 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Levee Street (next to the Red Wing Depot)
The Red Wing Farmers Market has a family-friendly atmosphere with live music (complete with a hula hoop station to set your inner performer free), face painting, and bluffside views of the Mississippi for all to enjoy.
Stuff your tote bag with cookies, flowers, pickles, and more at this downtown market.
9. Mankato Farmers Market
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays 3 p.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Where: 1895 Adams Street (in the Best Buy parking lot)
Shop for everything local—and everything under the sun—at the Mankato Farmers Market. Compass Rose Creamery brings artisan cheeses, Flourish & Frost has pristinely decorated cookies in tow, Gracious Gift Wellness sports hand-crafted pet treats, and Gray Duck Syrup Co. sells its cocktail (or mocktail!) mixers.
And that’s not the half of it! The Mankato Farmers Market features around 50 vendors—each with their own artisan-made, homegrown specialty. Katoans: Don’t miss.
10. Northeast Farmers Market
When: Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: St. Boniface Church Parking Lot (629 NE 2nd St.)
Minneapolis’s most creative neighborhood is home to its most creative farmers market—the Northeast Farmers Market. The large market hosts multiple bakers, farms, coffee suppliers, makers, and local organizations each week, plus a musical act to boot.
Vendors rotate weekly, so check the market’s bookings each week if you’re looking for something in particular. Don’t forget to check out who is making prepared food that week—bring your appetite for everything from spring rolls to breakfast sandwiches to empanadas.
11. Burnsville Farmers Market
When: Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Burnsville Shopping Center
Every weekend this summer, you can stop by the suburban indoor-outdoor market that claims to be Minnesota’s biggest—the Burnsville Farmers Market.
This destination market has special events on select weekends, including a car show (Jul. 11 & 12), a wrestling show plus beer dabbler (Aug. 8 & 9), and the coveted medallion hunt (Aug. 22 & 23)—featuring a $200 cash prize.
12. Clover Valley Farm Trail
When: Sundays (plus select Saturdays and weekdays)
Where: Along the North Shore Scenic Drive (between Duluth and Two Harbors)
“Where a farmers market meets a Sunday drive,” the Clover Valley Farm Trail connects a co-op of small farms along the North Shore. This unique take on the farmers market makes for a beautiful way to show up for local farms while also enjoying the beauty of Lake Superior.
Choose your stops from the Clover Valley Farm Trail hub, and visit each farm’s website for exact times and offerings, or let the universe chart your course from farm to farm—just check the map and go with the flow.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
