Eat local: Here are 10 farmers markets in the Memphis area you don't want to miss

Jennifer Chandler, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·5 min read

The summer is the best time of year to shop at a local farmers market.

Popular farmers like Claybrook Farms, Whitton Farms, Rosecreek Farms, Lake's Catfish, Jones Orchard and Falcon Ridge Farm sell their locally raised meats and produce at Memphis-area farmers markets, along with dozens of other vendors.

Here is a guide to 2023 Memphis-area farmers markets.

Memphis Farmers Market

Corner of GE Patterson and Front streets; memphisfarmersmarket.org

Tomatoes, squashes, corn and grass-fed beef are a few of the things you will find at the Memphis Farmers Market this time of year.

Since 2006, the Memphis Farmers Market has provided fresh and local foods to Downtown Memphis. The largest Memphis-area market features more than 60 vendors.

The Memphis Farmers Market opens annually the first Saturday in April.
The Memphis Farmers Market opens annually the first Saturday in April.

Enjoy live music, weekly themed events and fun programs at this market that strives to educate the community about eating local, nutrition and food choices.

Hours: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, from April through October

The Farmer's Market at Agricenter International

7777 Walnut Grove Road; agricenter.org

The Agricenter Farmers Market is the only Memphis farmers market open several days a week. The market features more than a dozen vendors selling produce, meats and other farm-raised products.

The Agricenter Farmers Market in Memphis, TN.
The Agricenter Farmers Market in Memphis, TN.

Ly Vu's Produce, Fenster Farms, Rhodes Farm and Ripley's Produce are just a handful of the vendors at the market every Monday through Saturday.

The market runs through Oct. 28.

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, from May 1 through Oct. 28

Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market

1000 S. Cooper St.; cycfarmersmarket.org

The Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market is the largest year-round market in the Memphis area.
The Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market is the largest year-round market in the Memphis area.

The Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market is the largest year-round market. Located in the parking lot of the First Congo Church, this market features more than three dozen local farmers, producers and artisans.

You can find everything from fresh produce to artisan cheeses to handmade tamales. This market is also dog-friendly.

Hours: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, from April-October; and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, from November-March

Hernando Farmers Market

2535 U.S. 51 South, Hernando; cityofhernando.org/services/farmers-market

The Hernando Farmers Market has been named Mississippi’s Favorite Farmers Market and No. 13 Most Celebrated Market in the Nation by the American Farmland Trust.

This North Mississippi market is located on the quaint historic Town Square and is open each Saturday from May 1 through the end of October. The market features more than 75 vendors selling such items as locally grown fruits and vegetables as well as fresh local milk, pork, cage-free eggs, local honey, canned and preserved items, natural soaps and lotions, nursery plants, baked goods and cut flowers.

Hours: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, from April 22 until the end of October

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The Carpenter Art Garden Farmers Market

295 Carpenter St.; carpenterartgarden.org

The Carpenter Art Garden hosts a small farmers market every Monday year-round.

Their community gardens provide skills training, community building and a place for families to grow healthy eating options. Carpenter Art Garden sells its vegetables throughout the neighborhood, as well as to the general public.

A sign sits at the entrance of Carpenter Art Garden on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in the Binghampton neighborhood in Memphis. Carpenter Art Garden is a non-profit that provides after-school activities and classes, including sewing and cooking classes, to community members.
A sign sits at the entrance of Carpenter Art Garden on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in the Binghampton neighborhood in Memphis. Carpenter Art Garden is a non-profit that provides after-school activities and classes, including sewing and cooking classes, to community members.

The Art Garden provides free year-round arts, educational and vocational programs to the youth of the Binghampton neighborhood. All proceeds from the market help support Carpenter Art Garden’s programs.

Hours: 3-5 p.m. Mondays

The South Memphis Farmers Market

1400 Mississippi Blvd.; somefm.org

The South Memphis Farmers Market operates June through August, providing fresh produce access to the surrounding communities.

This small market accepts six to eight growers per season, as well as additional prepared foods vendors and handicraft vendors.

A vendor at the South Memphis Farmers Market.
A vendor at the South Memphis Farmers Market.

Additional market events and activities include live music, food trucks, games for kids and cooking demos. Cooking demos are offered every week of the market season through community partners at University of Tennessee. Visitors are invited to try easy, fresh recipes created from fruits and vegetable sold by the market's produce vendors.

Hours: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays, from June 29 through Aug. 31

The Germantown Farm Park Farmers Market

7725 Poplar Pike, Germantown; germantown-tn.gov

The Germantown Farm Park Farmers Market takes place from 4-7 p.m. Thursdays June 15-Aug. 24, at C.O. Franklin Park.

A vendor at the Germantown Farmer's Market at C.O. Franklin Park.
A vendor at the Germantown Farmer's Market at C.O. Franklin Park.

A producer-only market, this farmers market features a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, artisan goods, children's activities, and live music and cooking demonstrations.

Hours: 4-7 p.m. Thursdays, June 15 through Aug. 24

Collierville Farmers Market

454 W. Poplar Ave., Collierville; colliervillefarmersmarket.org

The Collierville Farmers Market is located in the rear parking lot of Collierville United Methodist Church.

Featuring close to 40 vendors, this weekly market features fresh produce, baked goods, eggs and artisan foods and crafts.

Hours: 9 a.m.-noon Thursdays, from May 25 through Sept. 28

Bartlett Station Farmers Market

2629 Bartlett Blvd., Bartlett; bartlettstationfarmersmarket.org

The Bartlett Station Farmers Market is held weekly at the A. Keith McDonald Pavilion in Freeman Park.

This market features more than three dozen vendors selling everything from fresh produce to kettle corn.

Hours: 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, from May 20 through Sept. 23

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Whitehaven Farmers Market

Methodist South Hospital, 1300 Wesley Drive; methodisthealth.org

This marks the 12th year for the Whitehaven Farmers Market.

A customer poses for a photo at the 2020 Whitehaven Farmers Market. This neighborhood market is hosted by Methodist South Hospital.
A customer poses for a photo at the 2020 Whitehaven Farmers Market. This neighborhood market is hosted by Methodist South Hospital.

Hosted by Methodist South Hospital, this market is located in front of the hospital’s Medical Office Complex just off Elvis Presley Boulevard.

A variety of local and nearby farmers bring in fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for purchase.

Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, July 10-Aug. 28

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis farmers markets 2023: What's open, what they offer, hours