Farmers Markets In (& Near) Milwaukee

Few events capture the summer season in southeastern Wisconsin like a farmers market does, with local farmers hawking the goods of their harvest to the tune of live music and freshly brewed coffee. Food vendors join in the fun, too, dishing up eats like crepes, pastries, tamales and meaty breakfast sandwiches for morning fare. Nearly every neighborhood now has a farmers market, making it easy to score in-season, locally grown produce.

Don’t be shy in chatting up the farmers: many love to share their love for the land and the stories behind the edibles they harvest. This includes recipes—so you can feel comfortable cooking with kohlrabi for the first time, for example. Getting to know the farmers is the next best thing to visiting the farm, after all!

Wisconsin ranks number-two in the nation in its number of organic farms—second only to California, bigger in land mass and blessed with year-round growing weather—and this dedication shows. Most of the farmers you’ll meet at farmers markets, while they might not be certified-organic, believe in growing using sustainable methods (in other words, no pesticides or chemicals).

And if you hunger for a more in-depth farm experience, consider booking an elegant-but-rustic dinner on a Wisconsin farm this fall. This article outlines your options. Another way to get to know your local farmers is to sign up for a CSA, which is a community-supported agriculture project.

Paying a flat fee at the beginning of the growing season (in spring) ensures you get a delivery of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables up until the month of November. To sweeten the deal, many local farms host events just for their CSA members—or you can always book a visit on your own, and be treated to a tour.

Have a green thumb? By being a workshare volunteer at a local farm, this means you get free fruits and vegetables in exchange for your hard work.

TUESDAY

What: West Allis Farmers Market

Where: 6501 W. National Ave., West Allis

When: noon-6 p.m.; May 3-Nov. 26, 2016

What: Fondy Market at Schlitz Park

Where: Schlitz Park, 1555 N. Rivercenter Drive, Milwaukee (downtown)

When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; June 28-Oct. 4, 2016

What: Thiensville Village Farmers Market

Where: Village Park, 250 Elm St., Thiensville

When: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; June 21-Oct. 25, 2016

WEDNESDAY

What: Westown Farmers Market

Where: Zeidler Union Square, 301 W. Michigan St., Milwaukee (downtown)

When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; June 1-Oct. 26, 2016

What: Brown Deer Farmers Market

Where: Marketplace Shopping Center, 9078 N. Green Bay Road, Brown Deer

When: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; June 15-Oct. 26, 2016

What: Cudahy Farmers Market

Where: 3500 Library Drive, Cudahy

When: 3 p.m.-7 p.m.; June 15-Oct. 12, 2016

What: Elm Grove Village Market

Where: 13230 Watertown Plank Road, Elm Grove (Ray’s Auto Service)

When: 5 p.m.-8 p.m.; June 8-July 19, 2016

THURSDAY

What: CORE/El Centro Rooftop Farmers Market

Where: 130 W. Bruce St., Milwaukee (Walker’s Point)

When: 4 p.m.-8 p.m. (fourth Thursday of the month only); June-September

What: Walker Square Farmers Market

Where: Walker Square Park, South 9^th and West Washington Streets (Walker’s Point)

When: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; June 4-Oct. 29, 2016

What: Jackson Park Farmers Market

Where: Jackson Park, 3500 W. Forest Ave., Milwaukee (Jackson Park)

When: 3:30 p.m.-7 p.m.; June 9-Sept. 29, 2016

What: West Allis Farmers Market

Where: 6501 W. National Ave., West Allis

When: noon-6 p.m.; May 3-Nov. 26, 2016

What: South Milwaukee Farmers Market

Where: South 11^th Avenue and Milwaukee Avenue, South Milwaukee

When: 3 p.m.-7 p.m.; June 2-Oct. 13, 2016

What: Grafton Farmers Market

Where: Grafton High School, 1950 Washington St., Grafton

When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; July 7-Aug. 25, 2016

FRIDAY

What: Cedarburg Farmers Market

Where: behind Cedarburg Cultural Center (on Mill Street), W62 N 546 Washington Ave., Cedarburg

When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; June 10-Oct. 14, 2016

SATURDAY

What: South Shore Farmers Market

Where: South Shore Park, 2900 S. Shore Drive, Milwaukee (Bay View)

When: 8 a.m.-noon; June 18-Oct. 15, 2016

What: Cathedral Square Market

Where: 520 E. Wells St., Milwaukee (East Town)

When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; June 4-Oct. 1, 2016 (no market on July 2 or 16)

What: Wauwatosa Farmers Market

Where: 7720 Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa (near Little Red Store); at Hart Park Pavilion on Sept. 10, 2016, only

When: 8 a.m.-noon; June 4-Oct. 15, 2016

What: Whitefish Bay Farmers Market

Where: East Silver Spring Drive and North Berkeley Boulevard, Whitefish Bay

When: 8 a.m.-noon; July 9-Oct. 1, 2016

What: West Allis Farmers Market

Where: 6501 W. National Ave., West Allis

When: 1 p.m.-6 p.m.; May 3-Nov. 26, 2016

What: St. Francis Farmers Market

Where: 4550 S. Brust Ave., St. Francis

When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; June 18-Oct. 29, 2016

What: Outdoor Urban Market of the Milwaukee Public Market

Where: East St. Paul Avenue and Broadway Avenue, Milwaukee (Historic Third Ward)

When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; June 4-Sept. 24, 2016

What: Greendale Open Market

Where: Broad Street Village Center, between Northway and Schoolway in downtown Greendale

When: 8 a.m.-noon; June 25, July 9 & 23, Aug. 6, 20 & 27, Sept. 10, 17 & 24, Oct. 8

What: Garden District Farmers Market

Where: 6^th Street and Howard Avenue, in the community gardens, Milwaukee (South Side)

When: 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; June 11-Oct. 15, 2016

What: Fox Point Farmers Market

Where: Stormonth School, 7300 N. Lombardy Road, Fox Point

When: 8 a.m.-noon; June 18-Oct. 15, 2016

SUNDAY

What: Riverwest Gardeners Market

Where: Garden Park, 821 E. Locust St., Milwaukee (Riverwest)

When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; June 19-Oct. 16, 2016

What: Shorewood Farmers Market

Where: Lake Bluff Elementary School, 1600 E. Lake Bluff Blvd., Shorewood

When: 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; June 19-Oct. 23, 2016

What: Walker Square Farmers Market

Where: Walker Square Park, South 9^th and West Washington Streets (Walker’s Point)

When: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; June 4-Oct. 29, 2016

What: Enderis Park Farmers Market

Where: Enderis Park, between Chambers and Locust and 70^th and 72^nd Streets, Milwaukee (West Side)

When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; June 19-Sept. 25, 2016

What: Greenfield Farmers Market

Where: Konkel Park, 5151 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield

When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; May 8-Oct. 30, 2016

What: Saukville Farmers Market

Where: Veterans Park, 639 E. Green Bay Ave., Saukville

When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; June 19-Oct. 30, 2016