12 Farmers' Markets In The South You Should Visit This Season

Must-visit spots for farm-fresh fanfare and specialty goods.

Nothing beats the bounty of fresh produce we get in the South, but shopping at your local supermarket just isn’t the same as meeting a local farmer face to face. If you love Saturday morning markets as much as we do, with all their farm-fresh fanfare and specialty goods, consider this list of must-visit farmers' market stops across the South.

West Palm Beach Green Market

West Palm Beach, Florida

There’s a reason the West Palm Beach Green Market has been voted the number-one green market in the country for the past couple of years—it’s a seasonal South Florida hotspot to see and be seen with more than 100 vendors spanning a variety of categories, from colorful orchids to artisan breads, spicy sauces, local honey, gourmet pickles, produce, pasta, pet treats, and beyond. Don’t try to resist the smell of the freshly baking cider doughnuts, but do balance it out with an açaí bowl or a smoothie. The market takes place on the West Palm Beach waterfront on Saturday mornings from October through April, so it’s the perfect excuse for a non-summer getaway.

Charleston Farmers Market

Charleston

South Carolina’s Charleston Farmers Market has been a highlight for visitors and locals alike since its inception in 1989. Taking place weekly from April to November in the heart of the Historic District at Marion Square, it’s the perfect place to stroll and shop from Lowcountry vendors offering food, crafts, cut flowers, live entertainment, and more. Come hungry and feel free to bring your dog.

Old Town Farmers’ Market

Alexandria, Virginia

When it comes to longstanding tradition, the Old Town Farmers’ Market in Alexandria, Virginia, might take the cake. This Saturday market has been going on since 1753 and showcases local produce, meats, flowers, cheese, baked goods, plants, soaps, and more. It’s America’s oldest farmers’ market held continuously at the same site, and takes places year-round, rain or shine, with more than 70 vendors during the peak season.

Winter Park Farmers’ Market

Winter Park, Florida

This produce and plant market is a Central Florida gem. The Winter Park Farmers’ Market takes place on Saturday mornings all year long and supplies locals and visitors alike with their fresh offerings, from baked goods and bagels to unique jerkies. Shoppers also love the food trucks, butterfly gardens for sale, and the sweet scent of kettle corn being made. If you live nearby, you can even get your knives sharpened while you shop!

Kingsport Farmers Market

Kingsport, Tennessee

Kingsport Farmers Market in northeast Tennessee has been going on since 1977 and, in addition to the regular market offerings on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from April to November, presents a slew of fun programs. For example, the once-a-month "Evening at the Market
series keeps the market open late, with a bluegrass concert to boot. There’s also a free gardening class so you can learn to grow your own produce and a “Saturdays with the Chef” series, during which a local chef will give a live demo of a recipe you can shop at the market then take home and try.

Alabama Farmers Market

Birmingham, Alabama

If you want to be overwhelmed by a farmers market in the best of ways, head to the massive Alabama Farmers Market in Birmingham. This market can trace its roots to 1921 and has been in its current 49-acre location since 1956. Open sunup to sundown 365 days per year, rain or shine, this market is a one-stop shop for all things fresh. On the property, you’ll find locally farmed produce, a flea market, a restaurant, and truck vendors. Also in Birmingham, The Market at Pepper Place is another favorite, albeit a bit smaller.

Grant Park Farmers Market

Atlanta

Locals love the Grant Park Farmers Market in Atlanta, which takes place in its beautiful parkside setting every Sunday of the year (unless it’s Christmas or New Year’s Day). Go for organic local fruits, vegetables, meats, breads, and artisanal foods as well as the weekly celebrity chef demonstrations from some of the South’s top chefs.

Forsyth Farmers’ Market

Savannah, Georgia

As if Savannah weren’t lovely enough a city on its own, the Forsyth Farmers’ Market takes place each Saturday morning in gorgeous Forsyth Park. If you’re visiting Savannah on a weekend, make sure to include this market in your itinerary—there’s a wide selection of farm products and prepared foods, and the setting really can’t be beat. It’s the perfect start to a Saturday morning in Savannah and you’ll get a chance to meet lots of local makers and sample some truly memorable goods.

North Carolina State Farmers Public Market

Raleigh, North Carolina

The only market bigger than the North Carolina State Farmers Public Market would be, perhaps, the farms themselves. Located in Raleigh and open 365 days per year, this massive market comprises 30,000 square feet of fresh produce (availability depends on what’s fresh each season) and specialty farm-produced products, with plants for sale each spring; an indoor Market Shoppes area with everything from artisan foods to North Carolina wines, old-fashioned candies, and even custom picture framing; a drive-through Truckers Building for bulk buyers; a wholesale terminal; restaurants; and a two-acre Market Imports area with interesting items from around the world. It’s the kind of farmers’ market—if you can even call it that—you’ll have to see to believe.

Nashville Farmers’ Market

Nashville

Another massive market is the Nashville Farmers’ Market, a large yet somehow still “off the beaten path” daily market with local artisanal foods, produce, crafts, shops, restaurants, and even classes and chef demos. Since it’s open year-round, it’s the perfect addition to the agenda for any stay in Nashville when you need a little break from the hustle and bustle of Broadway.

FRESHFARM Dupont Circle Sunday Market

Washington, D.C.

During peak season, the FRESHFARM Dupont Circle Sunday Market in Washington, D.C., sees more than 50 farmers with produce, pastured meat, eggs, farmstead cheeses, fresh pasta, jams, locally roasted coffee, District-made spirits and beers, dumplings, soaps, potted plants, and more. This Sunday-morning market is open year-round and has all the market delights one could wish for, but the market requests that dogs and other pets remain at home.

Hernando Farmers Market

Hernando, Mississippi

Hernando Farmers Market is “Mississippi small town living” at its finest. Here, you’ll experience local food, artistry, and agricultural traditions in one sweet spot: the historic Town Square. This open-air market runs on Saturdays from April to October and offers a wide assortment of goods, from fresh local milk to preserved foods and even unique handicrafts. Aside from all the market fun, there are other draws, like free yoga classes at sunrise, live music, food demonstrations, and other special events.

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