13 Best Farmers Markets In The Midwest

You might not think to look for a perfectly curated farmers market underneath a train station, but Chicago's Low-Line Market is a tucked-away paradise for area artisans to hock their wares and neighbors to mix and mingle. One of the only farmers markets in the Lakeview neighborhood, it's truly a hub during the summer and early autumn months, open seven days a week from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and running from June 6 to October 10 in 2023.

"By providing an increased availability of local food sources within walking distance of a high-traffic residential area, the Low-Line Market aims to contribute to an increase in sustainability within the local community," Julie Star, engagement manager at the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce, told Block Club Chicago. This season, expect an array of vendors that go beyond just produce, though the greens shouldn't be slept on, with offerings from modern growers like Kaleido Greens — a vertical micro-farm that grows microgreens, herbs, and colorful edible flowers – and beloved stalwarts such as Kugel Farms, a multigenerational, family-owned farm that has been supplying the area with top-notch fruits and veggies for over 100 years.

You'll also be able to grab some vegan hot sauce from Spicy Grrrls as well as some small-batch pickles from Pickled Prince. Don't forget to tuck a loaf of crusty sourdough from the woman and minority-owned 1902 into your basket and a bouquet of sustainably grown blooms from Flying Penguin Farm. When you're all set with your shopping, you can kick back and enjoy some live music or get some culinary inspiration during a live cooking demonstration.

This Indiana farmers market has a cult-like following, and we can see why. The Indianapolis-based Broad Ripple Farmers Market has some serious stipulations on who they allow in as purveyors. First off, they only allow food vendors to set up a booth, so you won't find crafts or art here, just plenty of dinner inspiration. Every single producer present at the market must grow, raise or make their goods locally and all have to be licensed with the local health department (phew!).

Any fresh goods like meat, poultry, or produce must be grown directly by the farmer manning the booth, with priority given to farms that use humane and sustainable production methods. Pantry goods and similar sundries made from local ingredients are given priority as well. They also stay away from repeat vendors, too, so if you see someone selling honey at Broad Ripple, you know it's the best of the best to secure that single coveted spot.

The market is open all year, moving from an indoor to an outdoor location for the summer season. This year, the outdoor market is setting up shop in a Lowe's parking lot, so — if you're inspired to pick up some supplies to build your own backyard garden after seeing the bounty of fresh fruits and veggies at Broad Ripple — you can do so ASAP.

Lincoln, Nebraska's Haymarket Farmers Market is the perfect place to start your day. Open from 8 a.m. to Noon every day from May to October, Haymarket hosts plenty of purveyors and features live music from jazz and swing ensembles. Vendors fall into three categories: produce, food, and arts & crafts — all of which are hand-grown and hand-made by the same folks who are selling them to you (and you can count on some pretty unique goods since farmers and craftspeople come from all across the state to sell at Haymarket).

A typical morning there might look something like this: You meander over to the downtown Lincoln area, beckoned by the sound of laughter and the "oohs" and "ahhs" of locals admiring ripe fruits and intricate artworks. You smell some sizzling churros or freshly baked kolaches and grab a few to snack on as you stroll. Maybe you scoop up a coffee, too, to sip as you select some ripe melons and fresh greens to take home. When your legs need a break, you take a seat in Iron Horse Park to enjoy the musical stylings of groups like Swing Fever — or bust a move if that coffee is kicking in.

We love the classic "tent maze" feel of a typical outdoor farmers market as much as the next cooking enthusiast, but picking up a head of crunchy romaine under the roof of an open-air, "grand hall" with Italian Renaissance architecture sounds fancy and fun. There are 147 stalls for local vendors to show off everything from homemade jambalaya, handmade soaps, sweet corn, and an entire booth devoted to just really nice bamboo plants. That said, Soulard is also a great spot to go if you're looking to go beyond the garden with what you're looking to buy.

Another market that's open year-round, Soulard is also one the nation's oldest, hearkening back to a local market that set up shop in 1779. And it's proven to be a popular spot for all of those years, too. You'll find the biggest crowds on Saturdays, so shop on Wednesday or Thursday for a slower pace.

Another stand-out in Wisconsin, the Madison-based Dane County Farmers Market is the largest producer-only farmers market in the country. Think of a rotating selection of over 250 vendors, with at least 150 showing up every Saturday with their farm-fresh and artisanal offerings. Though there are so many stalls to explore, definitely make time to chat with the farmers and food makers. They're super knowledgeable and incredibly passionate since these are the folks who are actually doing the making, baking, and growing to get these goodies to your table. And they can definitely tell you the difference between an English cucumber and a standard cucumber if you're more of a veggie novice.

Another pro tip: Get there early to avoid sellouts. Remember, these are small operations that can only produce and transport a certain amount of goods at a time, so if you have your heart set on some fancy mushrooms for this evening's risotto, aim to visit before 9 a.m. in the morning.

Kansas City, Missouri's City Market has a lively feel that makes you excited to shop for dinner, which is no surprise, given its rich history as a hub for everything from horse trading to circuses, to rallies beginning in 1857. But even though there's lots to take in and a large number of different market stalls, that doesn't mean the vetting process for vendors is any less strict.

Every participating farmer must grow their own produce within a 500-mile distance of City Market and a representative visits each and every farm to verify, so you know you're really getting local produce. Every artist and craftsperson gets a workshop visit, too, to ensure quality and best practices before they're allowed to sell their wares. Even buskers are required to audition, which is music to our ears. And this year, expect some cool newcomers to the market, like an outpost of Missouri Wines pouring award-winning vintages from various vineyards produced right in the state.

The Eastern Market feels a lot like its Detroit location: cool, eclectic, and vibrant. Over 40,000 folks gather every Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday to shop locally from upwards of 225 vendors. Navigating the crowds is worth it, though, since you can scoop up everything you need for the perfect dinner party in one fell swoop. Case in point: purchase your produce and proteins alongside some unique artisanal pottery tableware to serve it in and a bouquet of blooms from a local florist to add more color to your table.

Plus, the market also hosts many additional events and specialty markets – like a vintage-packed flea market, a burger cook-off, and holiday festivals for Juneteenth. A local favorite: the Flower Day events, where 15 acres of blossoms splash color across the city. It draws a crowd of 150,000 people and plenty of growers from out of state since it's the largest open-air flowerbed market event of the year.