Fresh off the Square: A.V. Club's guide to non-downtown farmers' markets
Caylan Larson
Offerings from Herb 'N' Oyster mushroom farm, returning to this year's East Side Farmers' Market.
Article Tools
Sure, the downtown Dane County Farmers' Market is the default destination in Madison on Saturday mornings. The largest producer-only farmers' market in the country draws thousands each week (plus lots of tourists) to the Capitol Square to catatonically march counterclockwise past hundreds of farmers, musicians, dried gourds, and baked goods. But say you actually want to shop for food, to actually break through the crowd to reach your desired item before the flow pushes you past or, more likely, before a stroller bruises your shins. Fortunately, Madison offers a host of alternative farmers' markets. Here's Decider's survey of the non-downtown market scene.
Eastside Farmers' Market
Where: 201 S. Ingersoll St., the dirt and scraggly grass patch along the railroad tracks known as Madison's "Central Park." The bike path runs right by the market, so expect (this being the East Side and all) to see lots of two-wheeled customers--or plan to be one yourself. Parking is also available on the street.
When: Tuesdays, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., May 12 through Oct. 14.
Vibe: Like the Willy Street Co-op sans roof and walls, which makes sense since the Co-op sponsors the market. Hippies or those with hippie-ish tendencies can be seen shopping and socializing, cloth bags and bike helmets in hand. There's often more prepared food than fresh produce here, so it can be a great place to pick up breads, jams, pastries, or even a whole meal from one of the food carts in attendance on the way home from work.
Westside Community Farmers' Market
Where: 4802 Sheboygan Ave., otherwise known as the giant parking lot behind Hilldale Mall and beside the Hill Farms DOT building. There's plenty of parking for you and your fleet.
When: Saturdays, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Nov. 7.
Vibe: Probably the most like the downtown market in its breadth of products and in its vendors--you'll see some of the same farms here as downtown. There's a surprising lack of parking-lot feeling, too, considering the stands are set up in two facing rows in a huge parking lot. A well-dressed near-West Side crowd shops the market, carrying wicker baskets or pulling those wheeled metal market carts commonly seen in Europe.
Hilldale Farmers' Market
Where: Hilldale Shopping Center, on the southwest side (otherwise known as the back) of the mall. Parking can be tough as the market competes with the mall traffic.
When: Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Nov. 1.
Vibe: Hilldale was the original West Side market before the Westside Community Farmers' Market split off and set up shop just up the slope on Sheboygan Avenue. Despite the defection of a number of vendors, the Hilldale market retains a good selection of products, and new for this year, buskers (street musicians competing for your market dollars and perhaps your peace of mind).
South Madison Farmers' Market
Where/when: Mondays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 2500 Rimrock Rd.; Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Labor Temple (1602 S. Park St.); Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Villager Mall on Park St., across from Walgreens; and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Labor Temple on Park Street. All run through Oct. 30.
Vibe: The diversity of the neighborhood is reflected in the diversity of products available at each of these markets--there are more Asian greens, okra, chilies, and unusual herbs than at any other market. Market manager Robert Pierce is a boisterous and unavoidable presence at every market, smiling, laughing, and greeting everyone who comes to shop.
Northside Farmers' Market
Where: 2817 N. Sherman Ave., the parking lot in front of Pierce's Northside Market in Sherman Plaza, across the street from Warner Park. There's plenty of parking in a shopping center with a lot of vacant storefronts.
When: Sundays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., through October.
Vibe: Grateful shoppers, who waited a long time for a place to shop for fresh produce after the neighborhood's last grocery store closed in 2003, come each week to this market with a very neighborhood feel. With events, music, and food nearly every week, this market manages to be both small and have nearly everything you might need. And if it doesn't have it, Pierce's Market is just a few steps away.
Facebook
