USA TODAY 10Best
Market watch: The 10 best farmers markets across the nation
Best Farmers Market (2024)
According to the Farmers Market Coalition, a farmers market is "a public and recurring assembly of farmers or their representatives selling the food that they produced directly to consumers." And the explosion of the farm-to-table movement in the United States has led to a steadily growing number of markets, with more than 8,600 registered in the USDA Farmers Market Directory.
To find the best farmers markets, we asked a panel of experts to nominate their top picks. Then, our readers voted for their favorites over four weeks. Here are the 10 best farmers markets across the United States.
- Little Italy Mercato Farmers' Market - San Diego, California
- Root's Country Market & Auction - Manheim, Pennsylvania
- Pearl Farmers Market - San Antonio, Texas
- Palisade Sunday Farmers Market - Palisade, Colorado
- St. Johns Farmers Market - Portland, Oregon
- Ann Arbor Farmers Market - Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Maple Valley Farmers' Market - Maple Valley, Washington
- Kaka'ako Farmers Market - Honolulu, Hawaii
- West Palm Beach GreenMarket - West Palm Beach, Florida
- Worthington Farmers Market - Worthington, Ohio
Photo courtesy of Little Italy Association
No. 10:
San Diego County's largest farmers market is open twice weekly for fresh produce, poultry, meat, pastured eggs, nuts, and plants from California farmers. And don't leave without checking out the olive oil, bread, and sauces from local makers. Patrons love the ambience, amazing cuisine, and Italian American history in this downtown setting.
Photo courtesy of kali9 / E+ Getty Images
No. 9:
In the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Root's Country Market has been showcasing local agricultural and artistic talent since 1925, above and beyond typical farmers market offerings. Part of a flea market and livestock auction complex, it also hosts special events like car shows and arts and crafts shows.
Photo courtesy of JP Garrigues
No. 8:
The Pearl Farmers Market in San Antonio bills itself as “an open-air grocery store, held rain or shine," and it takes place each Saturday and Sunday. Saturdays are focused on local ranchers and farmers, while Sundays are dedicated to local artisans. While you’re shopping for local produce, meats, and cheeses, you can listen to the sounds of live music and ponder how to use your fresh ingredients.
Photo courtesy of Seraphina Hunter
No. 7:
Palisade Sunday Farmers Market, sponsored by the town, is open from June to October. It features items from local artisans and crafters as well as local produce and wines. Be sure to check out the live music and spend some downtime on a shaded, comfortable bench nearby.
No. 6:
Nurturing the St. Johns community in more ways than good, fresh, and sustainable food, the farmers market adheres to tenets of inclusivity and cross-cultural connections. Experience products rooted in France, Jamaica, Mexico, Vietnam, and beyond every Saturday, May through November.
Photo courtesy of RealPeopleGroup // Getty Images
No. 5:
You're sure to buy local at this market, with producer-only stalls featuring vendors from Michigan. A bounty of fresh produce, cheese, and eggs are joined by handmade ceramics, soaps, and candles for sale at this 100-plus-year-old market, which is open Saturdays year-round, as well as Wednesdays in the summer.
Photo courtesy of Maple Valley Farmers' Market
No. 4:
Less than 30 miles away from one of the nation's most famous public markets, Pike Place in Seattle, this seasonal market hosts vendors selling seafood, meat, organic produce, wine, glassworks — you name it. Locals anxiously await its reopening in a pretty forested setting, where it operates on Saturdays each May through October.
Photo courtesy of Melissa808
No. 3:
This Hawaiian farmers market offers over 100 booths filled with Oahu’s finest local produce, unique quality gifts, and locally inspired artisan foods. Sample fried mochi balls or sugar cane juice; shop for grass-fed beef, fresh-caught fish, and seasonal produce; or find gifts for every occasion, including handcrafted jewelry and textiles.
Photo courtesy of City of West Palm Beach
No. 2:
Inspired by visits to the public markets of Europe, former West Palm Beach Mayor Nancy Graham helped establish the first weekly public farmers market in Palm Beach County in 1995. These days, the West Palm Beach GreenMarket takes place every Saturday from October through April, with more than 125 vendors alongside the Intracoastal Waterway.
Photo courtesy of Experience Worthington
No. 1:
Nearly 100 vendors from the Columbus area converge for the year-round Worthington Farmers Market that adapts to the seasons. In summer, May through October, farmers and producers of high-quality food and plants, sell al fresco in the Old Worthington Historic District. The rest of the year, the market goes indoors at The Shops at Worthington Place.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Allison Levine
Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate,... Read More
Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate, a boutique agency specializing in marketing and event planning for the wine and spirits industry. With over 15 years of experience in communications, marketing, and event planning, Allison is passionate about the world around her and the diverse people in it. Allison holds a master’s degree in international communications with a focus on cross-cultural training from the American University School of International Service and holds a WSET Level 3 Certificate from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). As an industry expert, she has worked with wine regions around the world. She has traveled extensively and has lived abroad in Italy, Spain, and Mexico where she developed her passion for food and wine. Her work allows her to live life to the fullest and, as a freelance writer, Allison communicates her experiences in articles, as well as in her blog. Allison is the US Host for the international podcast Wine Soundtrack where she interviews winemakers and gets to know them in 30 questions, and she is co-host of the YouTube wine series Crush On This. Her website is www.pleasethepalate.com and you can follow her on Instagram @plsthepalate.
Allison Levine
Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate, a boutique agency specializing in marketing and event planning for the wine and spirits industry. With over 15 years of experience in communications, marketing, and event planning, Allison is passionate about the world around her and the diverse people in it. Allison holds a master’s degree in international communications with a focus on cross-cultural training from the American University School of International Service and holds a WSET Level 3 Certificate from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). As an industry expert, she has worked with wine regions around the world. She has traveled extensively and has lived abroad in Italy, Spain, and Mexico where she developed her passion for food and wine. Her work allows her to live life to the fullest and, as a freelance writer, Allison communicates her experiences in articles, as well as in her blog. Allison is the US Host for the international podcast Wine Soundtrack where she interviews winemakers and gets to know them in 30 questions, and she is co-host of the YouTube wine series Crush On This. Her website is www.pleasethepalate.com and you can follow her on Instagram @plsthepalate.
Lori Sorrentino
"Lori Sorrentino is an award-winning photographer... Read More
"Lori Sorrentino is an award-winning photographer and freelance travel writer and blogger, who writes about slow food and slow travel on her blog Travlinmad with a mission to Eat Local, Travel Slow. She also publishes Italy Foodies, about food travel in Italy, and the Naples Florida Travel Guide an insider's guide for travelers heading to sunny SWFL. A former destination marketing manager, her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Tages-Anzeiger, and The Huffington Post among others. Originally from New Jersey, when she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Florida writing about the Paradise Coast and the Everglades."
Lori Sorrentino
"Lori Sorrentino is an award-winning photographer and freelance travel writer and blogger, who writes about slow food and slow travel on her blog Travlinmad with a mission to Eat Local, Travel Slow. She also publishes Italy Foodies, about food travel in Italy, and the Naples Florida Travel Guide an insider's guide for travelers heading to sunny SWFL. A former destination marketing manager, her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Tages-Anzeiger, and The Huffington Post among others. Originally from New Jersey, when she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Florida writing about the Paradise Coast and the Everglades."
Nicholas Dekker
Nicholas Dekker, aka Dr. Breakfast, is a food and... Read More
Nicholas Dekker, aka Dr. Breakfast, is a food and travel writer based in central Ohio, writing his award-winning blog Breakfast With Nick since 2007, where he and his family document their journeys exploring restaurants, coffee, donuts, beer, the arts, family travel, and much more. Nick writes for Columbus Monthly, Ohio Magazine, TourismOhio, Experience Columbus, The Kitchn, Great Lakes Publishing, Experience Worthington, Cubby at Home, Worthington Spotlight, Proof Magazine, and other publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Nicholas Dekker
Nicholas Dekker, aka Dr. Breakfast, is a food and travel writer based in central Ohio, writing his award-winning blog Breakfast With Nick since 2007, where he and his family document their journeys exploring restaurants, coffee, donuts, beer, the arts, family travel, and much more. Nick writes for Columbus Monthly, Ohio Magazine, TourismOhio, Experience Columbus, The Kitchn, Great Lakes Publishing, Experience Worthington, Cubby at Home, Worthington Spotlight, Proof Magazine, and other publications. He can be found on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Rosemary Kimani
Rosemary Kimani is the co-founder and editor of Read More
Rosemary Kimani is the co-founder and editor of Authentic Food Quest, a food and travel website. She writes about authentic food experiences from around the world with the goal of helping people eat local on their travels or in their home kitchens. Traveling slow since 2015 she has explored the local cuisine in 45 countries and more than 250+ culinary cities. Her writing about local food specialties has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. The website features authentic food guides, recipes, food tours, cooking classes, and wine tours all aimed at connecting travelers to the local cuisine and culture. Connect with her on YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook.
Rosemary Kimani
Rosemary Kimani is the co-founder and editor of Authentic Food Quest, a food and travel website. She writes about authentic food experiences from around the world with the goal of helping people eat local on their travels or in their home kitchens. Traveling slow since 2015 she has explored the local cuisine in 45 countries and more than 250+ culinary cities. Her writing about local food specialties has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. The website features authentic food guides, recipes, food tours, cooking classes, and wine tours all aimed at connecting travelers to the local cuisine and culture. Connect with her on YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
