Anyone who frequently shops their farmers’ market knows that it’s the heart of a town. Nothing can speak louder about a community and its uniqueness than artisanal fare, local produce, and handcrafted goods. Here are a few of the United States’ *best* farmers’ markets that are totally worth seeking out when traveling.
View this post on InstagramFarmers Market at the Grove #farmersmarket #thegrove #theoriginalfarmersmarket #fruit #goodeats
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1. The Original Farmers’ Market, Los Angeles, CA: Established back in 1934 with only a dozen farmers and a handful of merchants, this market is now home to hundreds of merchants ranging from fresh local produce to full-blown restaurants. As if that wasn’t enough to entice you, they also hold concerts and sunset movie screenings. Would we expect any less from LA?
2. Union Square Greenmarket, New York City, NY: Going above and beyond to accommodate the needs of its community, this market offers a bounty of fresh produce, meats and fish, beer and wine, and fresh produce to over 60,000 hustling New Yorkers. Yet somehow, it still manages to offer cooking demonstrations. If you visit this mega market, keep your eyes peeled for some of NYC’s top chefs — they tend to buy their restaurant produce from these very stands!
3. Green City Market, Chicago, IL: If you’re big on sustainability, humanely raised animal products, and pesticide-free produce, this is the market for you. The application process for farmers is a tough one, but that only adds to market-goers’ total peace of mind because they know where it comes from.
View this post on InstagramEastern Market on a gorgeous day in DC!
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4. Eastern Market, Washington, DC: This market is open and thriving from Tuesday through Sunday, offering artisanal foods while displaying local art and, on the weekends, they bring in local growers. The hot spot plays a big role in the Capitol Hill community, which is probably why Eastern Market has 31,000 followers on Twitter.
View this post on Instagramthe quintessential pike place market photo 📸📷😍 #pikeplacemarket #seattle #pnw
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5. Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA: This notable market is booming with over 10 million visitors per year! And with a large assortment of unique shops and antique dealers, small family-owned restaurants, fishmongers, fresh produce stands, arcades, and comic book shops, there’s no reason to wonder why.
6. Crescent City Farmers’ Market, New Orleans, LA: Food, culture, and education are what bring people together at New Orleans’ Crescent City. Between programs that inspire healthy eating and farmers that share knowledge and experience with the NOLA culture, you’ll always leave having learned something; you can even purchase alligator meat from a vendor and learn how to cook it right there!
View this post on InstagramIt's spring at our stand at #copleysquarefarmersmarket !
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7. Boston Copley Square Farmers Market, Boston, MA: Dubbed the largest and busiest farmers’ market in Massachusetts, the Copley Square Farmers Market boasts a bright and beautiful selection of local produce and meats. The market is only open on Tuesdays and Fridays, but it’s conveniently located in the heart of downtown — a great spot for locals to spend their lunch breaks.
View this post on InstagramFresh veggies! #keepitlocal #atx #HopeFarmersMarket
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8. Hope Farmers Market, Austin, TX: This place is hipster AF, and we wouldn’t have an Austin-based market any other way. Visitors are treated to live music from local musicians as they peruse fresh food stands and extraordinary craftwork ranging from clay pots to handmade furniture. Furthermore, to cap off a successful month, Hope holds a night market on the last Friday of every month with food, artisans, and live entertainment.
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(Featured photo via Life Of Pix/Pexels)