Nothing makes a home homier than a well-stocked kitchen. If you want to pack your kitchen with fresh, locally grown ingredients, then you should head to one of the many farmers markets near Rochester, Minnesota. Feel good by supporting your local producers and businesses while getting the cook with some of the freshest produce you’ll ever taste. It’s a win-win situation.
Here are the best farmers markets in the Rochester area:
Rochester Farmers Market
The Rochester Farmers Market has been around since 1985 and is the go-to-market for the area. It’s held throughout the year, but alternates between two locations: Graham Park and downtown. If you’re looking for some of the freshest food you’ll ever taste, this farmers market has you covered. Seasonal selections fill the booths in the market. You’ll find plenty of raw produce, as well as baked goods, meats, flowers, ready-to-eat food vendors, and more. They’re held rain or shine and offer a great way to spend the day with family while stocking your kitchen with the freshest ingredients.
The Graham Park Farmers Market is held from June to September on Wednesday from 2-6 p.m. and then from November to April on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The Downtown Farmers Market lasts from May to October and is held on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to noon.
Saint Paul Farmers Market
If you’re up to the drive, the Saint Paul Farmers Market is another great destination. You can feel good about supporting Minnesota’s farmers and crafters while saving money on produce. One of the greatest parts about the Saint Paul Farmers Market is its full schedule. Many months of the year, there’s a farmers market every day of the week except Monday, sometimes at multiple locations around the city. You’ll find a great many booths selling anything from locally harvested honey to handmade candles.
If you’re visiting Saint Paul, about an hour’s drive from Rochester, check out the Saint Paul Farmers’ Market calendar to plan a trip to one of their farmers markets.
Plainview Farmers Market
About half an hour’s drive northeast of Rochester, you can take advantage of the Plainview Farmers Market. Every Wednesday, vendors set up their tents in Plainview to sell vegetables, crafts, baked goods, jams, meats, and more. This farmers market runs from May to October, on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m.
Winona Farmers Market
A little further east is the town of Winona along the Mississippi River on the Wisconsin border. Their farmers market is also held from May to October, on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. Head to the Merchants Bank parking lot. The 2019 season brought fresh honey, eggs, nuts, grains, flowers, soaps, granola, maple syrup, and much more. If you’re looking for a rich farmers market scene, Winona is the place to be.
Take some time to explore everything our local businesses and producers have to offer at these great farmers markets. You’ll love that your kitchen looks like you just spent a season of gardening your own vegetables after perusing the booths at the farmers market.
Image by James Cohen is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0
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