VITAL’s 2008 Farmer’s Market Guide

By Amy Elliott & Lindsey Huster

The big city grind is tough in the summer. It’s hot, smoggy and crowded. Whole city blocks are periodically shut down for sticky parties and loud, smelly rock shows. Most of us keep our day jobs for the season and then act like we don’t have anywhere to be in the morning. It wears a person out.

For a break – an idyll in the heart of the city, or a day-trip to sleepier regions – consider a trip to your friendly neighborhood farmer’s market (or some other neighborhood’s friendly farmer’s market). Replenish yourself with a stroll through the flowers, fresh herbs and handcrafts; some markets even feature cooking demonstrations, live music and – thank God – coffee. Stock up on fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables, conscionable meats and cage-free eggs, and the best cheeses, preserves and honey you’ll ever taste. Not only will you and yours be healthy, well-nourished and ready to take on the summer – you’ll enjoy connecting to your community, relaxing in the sun and refreshing your soul.

Brown Deer Farmers Market
43rd St. and Bradley Road
9 am – 6 pm, Wednesdays through October. Annuals and perennials, produce and herbs. 414-354-6923.

Brookfield Farmers Market
City Hall, 2000 N Calhoun Rd
7:30 a.m. – noon, Saturdays through October. Annuals, perennials, fruits and vegetables, Piedmontese beef, cut flowers, maple syrup, chickens, eggs, bison meat, baked goods, dried floral, garden art and much more. Weekly entertainment and demonstrations. Monthly Market and More event featuring handcrafted items. 262-784-7804 or brookfieldfarmersmarket.com.

Burlington Farmers Market
Wehmoff Square, Burlington.
3 pm – 7 pm, Thursdays, June 5 – November 20. 262-210-6360

Cudahy Farmers Market
4723 S. Packard Ave., Cudahy
10 am – 4 pm, Fridays through October 31. Locally grown and produced baked goods, fresh produce, honey, flowers, plants, crafts and more. 414-769-7799

Delafield Farmers Market
Fish Hatchery parking lot, 514 W. Main St.
7 am – 1 pm, Saturdays through October. This producer-only market features locally grown vegetables, fruits, herbs, honey, cider, fresh and dried flowers, annual bedding and perennial plants, ironworks, homespun woolen yarns and handcrafted items by local artisans. 262-968-4471.

East Side Open Market
Beans and Barley Parking lot, 1901 E. North Ave.
Thursdays 3 pm – 7 pm, June 12 – October 9. Produce, agricultural products, flowers, herbs, farmers, amazing artists and weekly live entertainment. 414-226-2113 or theeastside.org

East Town Farmers Market
Cathedral Square Park, 520 E. Wells St.
7:30 am – 12:30 pm, Saturdays through October. Fresh produce, jellies, jams, cheeses specialty foods, arts and crafts. 414-271-1416 or easttown.com.

Fondy Farmers Market
2200 W. Fond du Lac Ave.
7 am – 3 pm Saturdays; 8 am -2 pm Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays; 12 pm – 6 pm Wednesdays. June 14- November 22. Regular cooking demos, prepared food, and fresh locally grown produce. 414-933-8121 or fondymarket.org

Fox Point Farmers Market
Stormonth School, 7300 N. Lombardy Rd.
8 am – noon, Saturdays, June 21-October 18.Wisconsin-grown fruits and vegetables, mushrooms, native plants, flowers, honey, bakery, cage-free eggs, pastured beef, cheese, and herbal soap. 414-352-0555.

Germantown Farmers Market
The Livery, N132 W17303 Rockfield Rd.
8 am – 1 pm, Saturdays through October 25. Fresh produce and plants. 262-250-4750.

Grafton Farmers Market
Twin City Plaza, 1720 Wisconsin Ave.
9 am – 5 pm Thursdays, July through October. Fresh produce, flowers, elk meat, poultry. 262-377-1650.

Greendale Open Market
Municipal parking lot, Parking St.
8 am – noon Saturdays: June 28, July 12, 26, August 2, 16, 23, September 6, 20, October 4, October 18. Farmers’ produce, apples, jams, syrups and flowers, honey, vegetables, soup, bakery items, variety of crafts. 414-423-2790 or gpr.greendale.k12.wi.us.

Hales Corners Harvest on the Homestead
Stahl-Conrad Homestead, 9724 W. Forest Home Ave.
8 am – noon. July 5, July 19, August 9, 30, September 13, 27, October 11, 25. 414-708-0584. Produce, arts and crafts, bakery and frozen soups.

Hartford Farmers Market
Recreation Center, 147 N. Rural St.
7 am – 1 pm, Saturdays through November 15. 262-673-7193.

Howell Avenue Farmers Market
U.S. Bank, 4015 S. Howell Ave
8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m., July through October. Fresh produce through the summer. 414-881-1185

Jefferson Farmers Market
Rotary Park
4 pm – 8 pm, June 11, 25; July 16, 30; August 13, 27. 920-674-5144.

Juneau Farmers Market
Courthouse Square, 127 E. Oak St.
8 am – noon, Fridays through October. Fresh produce and crafts. 920-386-3359 or juneauwi.org

Kenosha Farmers Market
Various locations
6 am – noon, Tuesday – Friday, 6 am – 1 pm Saturdays, June through November
Columbus Park, 22nd Ave. and 54th St. (Wednesdays and Saturdays), Lincoln Park, 22nd Ave. and 69th St. (Thursdays), Baker Park, Sheridan Rd. and 66th St. (Fridays). kenosha.org/departments/parks/farmers.html.

Kenosha Harbor Market
Kenosha HarborPark
9 am – 2 pm, Saturdays through October. Organic meats, cheeses, breads, art, crafts and live chef demonstrations and music. 262-914-1252 or kenoshaharbormarketplace.com.

Lake Geneva Farmers Market
Horticultural Hall, 330 Broad St.
8 am –1 pm, Thursdays through October. Fresh flowers, wide variety of vegetables, homemade crafts, quilts and clothing for infants. 262-248-7598

Lake Mills Open Market
Common Park, East Lake St.
4 pm – 8 pm, Wednesdays through October. 920-648-2344 or lakemills.org

Mayville Farmers Market
Main St.
7 am – 11 am, Wednesdays through October 29. Fresh vegetables, local home-grown produce, crafts and plants. 920-387-1167.

Menomonee Falls Farmers Market
North Jr. High parking lot, Main St. just west of Appleton Ave.
8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesdays through November 26. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sundays, August – October (except September 28). Fresh vegetables, eggs, bakery, fresh flowers (annuals and perennials), crafts and honey. 262-251-8797. menomoneefallsdowntown.com

Milwaukee Public Market Outdoor Urban Market
Milwaukee Public Market, St. Paul Ave.
9 am – 3 pm, Saturdays and Sundays, June 14- October 26. Unlimited free parking on the weekends. Themed events every week, including kids’ day and art day. Wisconsin grown produce, jewelery, accessories artwork, live music, prepared food and chef demonstrations. 414-336-1111 or milwaukeepublicmarket.com.

Oconomowoc Farmers Market
Lake Terrace Parking Lot, 1380 W. Wisconsin Avenue
7 am – noon, Saturdays through October 25. Produce, flowers, arts and crafts. 262-567-2666 or oconomowoc.org.

Port Washington Farmers Market
E Main St between Post Office and Franklin St.
8 am – noon, Saturdays, July 5 through October 25. Organic produce, garden art, jams, jellies, bakers, music and cooking demonstrations. Local nonprofits prepare food for each week. 262-305-4220 or portwashingtonchamber.com.

Racine Market on the Square
Main St
9 am – 2 pm, second Saturday of the month, June – September. A European-style open market; breads, art, jewelry, organic soap and candles. 262-634-6002.

Riverwest Gardeners Market
Garden Park, Locust and Bremen Street
11 am – 4 pm, Saturdays, June 15 – October 26. Local produce, organics, flowers, herbs and live music. 414-265-7278.

Sherman Park Farmers Market
Sherman Perk Coffee, 49th Street and Roosevelt Avenue
8 am – 2 pm, Saturdays and Sundays through September 1. Wide range of produce, fruit and flowers. 414-875-7375.

Skelly’s Farm Market
2344 Hayner Rd., Janseville
9 am – 6 pm, daily through October. Homegrown tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, zucchini, and other veggies as they become available. Fresh donuts are also available daily. 608-754-7074 or skellysfarmmarket.com.

South Shore Farmers Market (Bay View)
South Shore Park, 2900 South Shore Drive
8 am – noon, Saturdays, June 21- October 18. Over 40 vendors selling organic produce, coffee, bakery, jellies, syrup, fruit. 414-744-0408.

South Milwaukee Farmers Market
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1304 Manitoba Avenue, South Milwaukee
9 am – 2 pm, Thursdays through October. Bedding plants, fresh and dried flowers, apples, berries, baked goods, chickens, eggs, lamb and a large range of locally grown produce. 262-835-4386.

Racine Southside Farmer’s Market
Regency Mall parking lot, 5538 Durand Ave.
8 am – 12 pm, Tuesdays and Fridays through Oct. 31. Seasonal fruits and vegetables. 262-886-6197

Thiensville Farmers Market
Friestedt on Main Street in Walgreen’s parking lot
8 am – 6pm Tuesdays, June 3-October 28
Exclusively homegrown vegetables, meats and poultry, flowers, honey, herbs bakery and other edible items. 262-242-2464

Walworth County Farmers Market
Courthouse Square
8 am – noon, Saturdays, June 7 – October 18. uwex.edu/ces/cty/Walworth/ag/farmersmarket.html.

Watertown Fair Day
Riverside Park, 850 Labaree St.
7 am – 1 pm, Tuesdays through November 11. Not on July 1, 29. Seasonal produce, bedding plants, floral arrangements, honey, crafts, specialty meats, bakery, demonstrations. 920-261-6320.

Watson Street Farmers Market
Village Green, 400 Watson St.
7 am – 1 pm, Tuesdays and Saturdays through October. Locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, preserves and numerous other products. 920-748-7466 or riponmainst.com

Waukesha Farmers Market
Riverfront Plaza
7 am – noon, Saturdays through October 25. Beginning July 15, the market will also run 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm. Locally grown produce, naturally raised meats, Wisconsin cheeses, honey, bakery, preserves, jams and crafts. 262-549-6154

West Allis Farmers Market
1559 S. 65th St. at National Avenue
Noon – 6 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 pm – 6 pm Saturdays through November 29. Locally grown plants, produce, flowers, meat, herbs and more. All items sold must be grown by the farmer or on family farms. 414-302-8652 or ci.west-allis.wi.us

West Bend Farmers Market
Old Settlers Park
7:30 am – 11 am, Saturdays, June 7- October 25. Fresh produce, fruits, baked goods, jams, jellies, honey, live music and demonstrations. 262-338-3909 or downtownwestbend.com.

West Town Farmers Market
Zeidler Union Square, 301 W. Michigan St.
10 am – 3 pm, Wednesdays, June 4 – October 29. More than 40 vendors offering locally grown fruits, vegetables and flowers, prepared food items, handmade artwork. Live music. 414-276-6696 or westtown.org.

Whitewater Farmers Market
Wal-Mart parking lot off Main St, 1609 Turtle Mound Circle
8 am – noon, Saturdays through November 1. Home-grown produce, fruits, plants, crafts and bakery. 262-473-3221 or ci.whitewater.wi.us.