Shop at Farmers' Markets

In recent years, Vermonters have returned to the tradition of buying food and products at local farmers’ markets.  When the excitement of warmer days and budding trees gets communities bustling with energy, the local farmers’ market is the place to be.  With more than just fresh produce, farmers’ markets are seeing an increase in goods -- including prepared foods, handmade soaps, essential oils, crafts and furniture.  So catch up with friends and dance with toddlers -- all while supporting the people who make Vermont’s landscape work.  Even with a couple feet of snow on the ground, there are more than a dozen markets offering food and fun all year long!

What You Can Do

  • Shop at your community's farmer’s market!  With over 50 statewide markets, there’s bound to be one nearby.
  • Bring your family and make a tradition out of attending the market.  Educate your kids on the seasons and which foods grow near their home.  Get them involved with a food scavenger hunt!
  • Spread the word!  Tell your friends and family about the great things you found and invite them along.  You can also post flyers at work, school, and on community boards.
  • Volunteer your time to help organize the farmers’ market in your community.
  • Want to start a local farmers’ market?  Get in touch with community leaders, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, or the Northeastern Organic Farmers Association (NOFA) to help get you started.

Vermonters Taking Action

Lamoille Valley Offers Year Round Market

"The Farmers Artisan Market is a wonderful mix of local goods at it's best. Our family has farmed sustainable for over 40 years and it is wonderful to see the community be so supportive of buying local foods and products. As more people come to learn the true value in spending their dollars at this and other farmer markets, we all will be healthier and prosper in many ways." John Jr. and Rocio Clark, Applecheek Farm

Lamoille Valley Farmers' Artisan Market (FAM) is taking a new approach to the seasonal farmers' market by staying open year round to provide locally made cheese, meats, breads, plants, vegetables, jellies, and other carefully crafted goods.  As of March 2008, they are open for business every Wednesday from 3:00 to 7:00 pm on Pleasant Street in downtown Morrisville.  One of the many vendors, Applecheek Farm, provides freshly made chicken pot pies, and for the more adventurous, pick up some of their therapeutic Emu oil!

"Farmers' Markets are a great way for us to connect with consumers and for Vermonters to connect with the agrarian lifestyle." Ben Dana and Thomas Case, Co-owners, Arethusa Collective Farm, Burlington

Visit Burlington's Seasonal Farmers' Market

Each year, during the second weekend in May, Burlington’s Farmers’ Market welcomes spring to the Champlain Valley. Vendors offer everything from fresh vegetables and seedlings to home-made soaps and pastries. One such tent was occupied by the folks of Arethusa Collective Farm, an organic produce farm owned by Thomas Case and Ben Dana in Burlington's Intervale. With fourteen acres of land, they're able to provide vegetables to locally owned restaurants and grocers throughout Chittenden County.

Resources You Can Use

  • Vermont Agency of Agriculture:  Choose your county and day of the week to find one of almost 70 farmers’ markets statewide.  Includes contact information, website links (if available), and an interactive map of every market in the state.
  • Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA): For farmers or consumers, NOFA offers valuable information on how to create a farmers' market, conduct qualitative and quantitative evaluation of markets, appeal to low income consumers, and lots more.
  • Local Harvest: Helps locate farmers’ markets, CSAs, co-ops and more throughout the entire country.
  • Vermont Living: Lists markets by region and offers a guide to when certain types of produce are in season.