By Susan Hunt-Bradford, Publisher
I know spring and summer are popular times for farmers markets; however, my favorite time of year to visit a market is September and October. Most are open until the end of October. Maybe it’s because fall is my favorite season or it’s cooler out, but whatever it is, fall farmers markets still have many items to purchase. Some fruit and vegetables peak this time of year like pumpkin, squash, apples, pears, Swiss chard, and collard greens, to name a few. Also, fall decorations are abundant, and sometimes there are even Halloween activities.
Often people think of farmers markets as places to go to only get fresh produce. And that’s partly true. The farmers markets I’ve been to not only have the freshest produce at great prices, but they also have so much more. If you haven’t been to a farmers market in a while, you will want to spend Saturdays or Sundays and sometimes weeknights visiting one. Not only are you helping the local farmers and other local vendors, but you are also giving yourself and your wallet a nice treat. A recent farmers market I went to included an acoustic singer with an incredible voice, vendors selling cotton candy, jewelry, dog treats, organic soap, handmade items, coffee, pastries, brats, burgers, sandwiches, herbs, candles, hair bows, spice blends, wine, of course the freshest produce and so much more; let me catch my breath. On top of it all, everybody was so friendly.
I’ve gathered a list of local farmers markets and even some from other states for those traveling this fall. If I’ve missed your favorite, email me at thpsusan@yahoo.com and I’ll include it next time. The 2019 National Farmers Market Managers survey shows that there are more than 8,000 farmers markets across the country.
Vine Street Market at O’Fallon Station. 212 E. 1st St. O’Fallon, IL www.ofallonstation.com. 8-noon, Saturdays, through Oct. 15.
Imperial Farmer’s Market. 1033 Main St. Imperial. Check them out on Facebook. Open daily, T-F 9-6pm Sat. 9-5, Sun and Mon 9-5.
Soulard Farmer’s Market. 7300 Carroll St., St. Louis. Wednesdays through Saturdays until 5pm. Check them out on Facebook.
Tower Grove. 4255 Magnolia, St. Louis. Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings 8-noon and Thursday Nights at Francis Park. Tgmarket.org, Open through Nov. 5.
Kirkwood Farmer’s Market. 150 E. Argonne, Kirkwood. M-F 10-6. Sat. 8-5, Sun 10-5.
Lake St. Louis Farmer’s Market, Meadows Circle Drive, Lake St. Louis. Saturdays 8-noon through Oct. 29
Ferguson Farmer’s Market.501 South Florissant, Ferguson. www.fergusonfarmersmarket.com Saturdays 8-noon through Oct. 29. www.fegusonfarmersmarket.com
St. Charles Lions Club County Farmers Market. 500 N. Riverside, St. Charles, MO. Saturdays 7-noon, through Oct. Check them out on Facebook.
Goshen Market. 100 St. Louis St., Edwardsville, IL Saturdays 8-noon through mid-October. Goshenmarket.org
S.O.L. Food Farmers Market. 2810 Sutton Blvd. Maplewood, MO Wed. 3:30-6:30pm, through October. www.solfoodfarmersmarket.com
Braeutigam Orchards. 2795 Turkey Hill Lane, Belleville IL. www.Braeutigamorchards.com. M-F 8-6, Sat. 8-5, Su 9-5 Through Oct. 31
U City Farmer’s Market. 6655 Delmar Blvd, rear Lot, St. Louis. Saturdays 8:30-12:30. Through Nov. 19 www.Midwestfarmersmarkets.com
Arnold Farmer’s Market. 2400 Bradley Beach Rd. Saturdays 8-noon through Oct. 29. Check them out on Facebook.
Roger’s Produce 625 E. Lockwood Webster Groves. Daily 9-6pm, Sundays 9-5pm.
Maplewood Farmer’s Market. Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest Ave. Maplewood, Sept. 4, Oct. 2, Nov. 27, Dec. 4. Indoor Market. Check them out on Facebook.
Thies Farm and Greenhouse. 14101 Creve Coeur Airport Rd. Maryland Heights. M-closed. T-Sat 9-5, Su 1-4. Through Nov. and Christmas trees in Dec. Thiesfarmandmarket.com.
Wildwood Farmer’s Market. 221 Plaza Drive, Wildwood. Saturdays 8-12. Open through Oct. 1. Check out their Facebook page.
Alton Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market. 501 Landmarks Blvd. Alton, IL, Saturdays 8-12. Wednesdays 4-7pm. Open through Oct. 15 www.downtownalton.com
One Africa! One Nation! Farmers Market. 4031 Florissant Ave., St. Louis. Saturdays 10-3pm through Oct. 29 www.oneafricamarket.com
Overland Farmer’s Market. 2500 Wood Rd. Sat. 8-12:30. Open until Oct. 29. Check them out on Facebook.
Bevo’s Farmers Market at the Heavy Anchor. 5226 Gravois Ave. Tuesdays, 5-8pm, year round. www.bbnstl.com
North City Farmer’s Market. 2714 N. 13th St. Saturdays, 9:30-noon. Through Oct. 15. Info@onsl.org
Tony’s Family Farms. 36 Four Seasons Shopping Ct. #200. Chesterfield. They also have home delivery.
Eureka Farmers’ Market. 394 South Central Avenue, Eureka. Second Thursdays of the month, 3:30-7:30pm, through October.
Hillsboro Farmers’ Market. 10533 Business Hwy 21, Hillsboro. Wednesdays 3:30-6:30pm. Check them out on Facebook. Through Oct.
Farmer’s and Artisans Market of O’Fallon, MO. 24 O’Fallon Square. Sundays from 9-1, check Facebook or www.famofallon.com for specific dates. Through Oct. 30.
De Soto Farmers Market. 520 N. Main St., Desoto. Saturdays 8-noon, through October. www.gethealthydesoto.org
Be Well Café and Farmers Market. 2027 Salisbury, St. Louis. Saturdays 9-noon, through October. www.bewellcafe.apiaryatthepark.com/farmers-market
RECOMMENDED OUT OF STATE FOR YOU FALL TRAVELERS:
Glens Falls Farmers Market. Glens Falls, New York. South St. Pavilion. Outside Saturdays 9-noon through Oct. 29. Indoor market Nov. 5-April 29. www.glensfallsfarmersmarket.com
Dorset, Vermont, 2732 Vt. Route 30, Dorset, year-round, www.dorsetfarmersmarket.com.
Port Royal, South Carolina. Naval Heritage Park, Saturdays 9-noon, year-round. www.portroyalfarmersmarket.com
San Rafael, California. Sundays and Thursdays, 8am-1pm. Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium parking lot, www.marincounty.org