How to Shop Farmers Markets in Colorado
Shop Farmers Markets in Colorado – eat local
This summer, shop farmers markets in Colorado or have your fresh produce and handmade goods delivered right to your door. Either way, you can count on enjoying the best that Colorado has to offer. Many local farmers are already prepping their early-season crops for farmers markets, local grocery stores, and farm stands; we recommend eating local and supporting these small businesses.
Colorado Farmers Markets
During the warmer months of the year, farmers’ markets are held across the state nearly every day of the week, so there’s little excuse for not eating local if you desire. We’re fortunate in Colorado to have a vast variety of local growers. Below are just some highlighted farmers’ markets. Please view our comprehensive Farmers’ Markets Guide to find markets across Colorado.
Shop Farmers Markets On the Western Slope…
The Durango Farmers Market operates on Saturdays from May through October, located in front of TBK Bank, and serves as a hub for local bakers, cheesemakers, farmers, and more. Aspen Saturday Market runs from June through October. In Telluride, you can choose from the Market on the Plaza, which is open on Wednesdays, and the Telluride Farmers Market on Fridays. In Palisade, home of some of the best produce (peaches) in the state, there’s a Palisade Sunday Farmers Market, and in Grand Junction, you can find everything you need at The Market on Main every Thursday.
Shop Farmers Markets In the Central Mountains…
If you’re hankering for fresh produce in Summit County, you’ll have plenty of options throughout the week, from Breckenridge Sunday Market (held weekly on—you guessed it—Sundays!) to the Dillon Farmers Market on Fridays. Saturdays are a busy day in the mountains during the summer, when farmers’ markets are held in Steamboat Springs, Salida, Minturn, and Gunnison, just to name a few.
Shop Farmers Markets In the Front Range
On weekdays, farmers’ markets can be found in Erie (Thursdays), Broomfield (Tuesdays), Cherry Creek (Saturdays), Estes Park (Thursdays), Evergreen (Tuesdays), and Woodland Park (Fridays). During the weekends, you’ll find markets in big cities like Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, and Fort Collins, as well as smaller towns like Timnath, Monument, Longmont, and more.
The greatest part is that this is just the tip of the iceberg lettuce. (Sorry, was that joke too corn-y?) There are numerous great farmers’ markets throughout Colorado. Here is an interactive map that allows you to find them, along with information about their operating hours and dates.
Guide to Shop Farmers Markets 101
Now, if you’re new to the world of local produce, it can be extremely overwhelming to wander the booths and stalls, but luckily, there are a few easy tips for newbies and experienced farmers market shoppers alike:
- Always have a plan. Just like they tell you not to shop when you’re hungry, make sure you know what you’re looking for when you go to shop farmers market, or you’ll leave with way too much or too little food.
- BYO Bags. Not all market stalls have their own bags for carrying their products, but even if they do, it’s essential to remember to bring your reusable shopping bags before leaving the house. You’ll reduce waste, and they’re way more comfortable (and cute!) to carry as you wander the rest of the market.
- Choose your timing wisely. The best selection often sells out quickly, so if you’re looking for something specific, arrive at the market early to ensure they don’t run out. Similarly, there are benefits to going later in the day, as many farmers discount their leftover produce so they don’t have to transport it back home after the market closes.
- Bring cash and small bills. Most vendors these days have the ability to swipe credit cards, but if you’ve got cash (in small bills so you don’t have to keep asking for change), you’ll be able to complete your transactions much more quickly, meaning you’ll spend more time shopping and less time standing around.
- No one knows their products better than the farmers and people who make and sell them, so take full advantage of this by talking to the people running the market stalls. Ask questions about produce you’ve never seen, ideas for recipes and uses, the farm’s practices for growing and production, and whatever else comes to mind. As long as they’re not overly busy with other customers, most people are happy to discuss what they love.
Bringing the Farmers Market Right to Your Doorstep
The first option you should consider is a local CSA, Community Supported Agriculture. CSAs enable you to pay upfront or monthly for a fresh food subscription service. Some CSAs deliver, and some offer curbside or farm stand pickup at locations that are convenient for many of their customers. You can look up CSA programs in your region here to find one that suits your needs.
Several services work to connect consumers with growers and producers in your area. Colorado MarketMaker is a resource that provides a comprehensive inventory of vendors and producers, showcasing the fantastic products they create throughout the state, and it tells you exactly how to obtain them. Similarly, Farm to Fork Colorado allows you to select shipments of fruits, vegetables, eggs, dairy products, and more from local farmers. It delivers them to you weekly, biweekly, or as often as you’d like, directly to your doorstep. On a smaller scale, local greenhouses and nonprofits, such as Growhaus in Denver, do the same thing in your community.
For more information, here is a full list of CSAs, farmers’ markets, food festivals, and other resources in Colorado that can help you get the best and freshest local products.
by Emily Krempholtz
